Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including archbishops of Abidjian and Algiers

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Vatican City, Oct 6, 2024 / 07:41 am (CNA) – In a significant announcement following the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis revealed that he will create 21 new cardinals at an upcoming consistory on December 8, 2024. The new cardinals represent a wide array of countries, showcasing the Catholic Church’s diversity, with key appointments in regions such as Tehran, Tokyo, and Toronto. Among the appointees are archbishops, bishops, and distinguished clergy members who have served in various pastoral, missionary, and theological capacities.

This consistory will be the tenth held by Pope Francis during his papacy, further shaping the future of the Catholic Church’s leadership. The 87-year-old pontiff, who has made it a priority to appoint cardinals from geographically and culturally diverse backgrounds, announced the upcoming consistory from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, addressing thousands of pilgrims gathered for the Angelus prayer.

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New Cardinals from Around the Globe

The full list of cardinals-elect includes representatives from across continents, underscoring Pope Francis’ focus on making the College of Cardinals more inclusive and reflective of the global Church. Among the notable appointments are:

• Archbishop Frank Leo, the metropolitan archbishop of Toronto (Canada), who has played a crucial role in the Canadian Catholic Church’s engagement with multicultural communities.
• Archbishop Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D., the metropolitan archbishop of Tokyo (Japan), whose leadership in Japan’s small but steadfast Catholic community has been instrumental in promoting social justice and interfaith dialogue.
• Archbishop Dominique Joseph Mathieu, O.F.M. Conv., the archbishop of Tehran-Ispahan, a Belgian missionary serving in Iran, who has been a significant figure in strengthening Christian-Muslim relations in the region.

Other appointments include Father Timothy Radcliffe, O.P. (United Kingdom), a theologian well-known for his reflections on faith and society, and Father Fabio Baggio, C.S. (Italy), the undersecretary for the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, whose work has focused on assisting refugees and displaced persons around the world.

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A Diverse Group of Leaders

The appointees reflect Pope Francis’ ongoing commitment to creating a College of Cardinals that mirrors the universality of the Church. His choices extend to regions with growing Catholic populations, as well as areas where Catholics are a minority, emphasizing the Church’s role in all parts of the world. This includes:

• Bishop Mykola Bycok, C.Ss.R., Eparch of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians, an important figure for the Ukrainian Catholic diaspora in Australia.
• Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur, O.F.M., bishop of Bogor (Indonesia), who has been a central figure in Indonesia’s Catholic Church, promoting interfaith dialogue in the predominantly Muslim nation.
• Archbishop Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, O.F.M., metropolitan archbishop of Guayaquil (Ecuador), a Franciscan known for his work with the poor and marginalized communities in Ecuador.

Additionally, Archbishop Vicente Bokalic Iglic of Santiago del Estero (Argentina), Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco, O.P. of Algiers (Algeria), and Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Abidjan (Ivory Coast) bring a wealth of experience from regions across Latin America and Africa, where the Catholic Church continues to grow.

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One Cardinal Over 80: Angelo Acerbi

One of the cardinals-elect, Archbishop Angelo Acerbi, the apostolic nuncio emeritus from Italy, is over the age of 80. Although he will not be eligible to vote in a future papal conclave, his appointment highlights his long service to the Church, particularly in diplomacy, where he represented the Holy See in various countries over the years.

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Shaping the Future of the Papacy

Since becoming pope in 2013, Pope Francis has created 142 cardinals from 70 countries at nine consistories, shaping the College of Cardinals with his vision of a Church that is both global and pastoral. His selections emphasize the Church’s mission to serve the poor, promote social justice, and engage with people of all faiths and backgrounds. The last consistory, held in September 2023, saw the creation of new cardinals such as Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong, and Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

As of now, 15 members of the College of Cardinals have turned 80 since the last consistory, meaning they have lost the right to participate in a papal election. After the December 2024 consistory, barring any unexpected deaths, there will be 141 cardinal electors, with 111 of them—79%—having been appointed by Pope Francis.

This significant number of Francis-appointed cardinals ensures that his vision of the Church will likely continue to shape the papacy for years to come. By choosing cardinals from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have experience in missionary work and social justice, Pope Francis is embedding his emphasis on a “poor Church for the poor” into the very heart of Catholic leadership.

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Looking Forward

As the Catholic Church prepares for the consistory on December 8, the appointments serve as a reminder of Pope Francis’ commitment to ensuring that the leadership of the Church is as global and inclusive as its followers. By selecting cardinals from regions often underrepresented in the upper echelons of the Vatican, the pope is signaling a future where the Church continues to expand its reach, addressing the spiritual and social needs of Catholics across the world.

This new group of cardinals will not only bring fresh perspectives to the College but will also ensure that the Church’s mission of mercy, justice, and evangelization remains at the forefront. With 79% of the cardinal electors appointed by Pope Francis, the future papacy is likely to reflect the values and priorities that have characterized his tenure: humility, compassion, and a global focus on the peripheries.