TWENTY-one new cardinals are to be created at a consistory to be held in the Vatican at the end of September, Pope Francis announced following the Angelus today, reported German news agency dpa.

Of the 21, 18 would be eligible to take part in a papal conclave to elect a new pope, as they are under the age of 80 – the cut-off age.

Making the announcement, Francis said, “Where they come from expresses the universality of the Church, which continues to proclaim the merciful love of God to all people of the earth.”

The new cardinals include Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez from Argentina, Archbishop Robert Francis Prevost, originally from the United States and Italian Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti.

Also on the list are Bishop Stephen Chriw Sau-yan of Hong Kong, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town and Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang.

The list reflects the pope’s promotion of clerics from countries outside Europe. Francis himself is Argentina-born.

The consistory is to be held on September 30. – Bernama, July 9, 2023.