BREAKING: Pope Francis Names 21 New Cardinals, Including Archbishop Fernández

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has created 121 cardinals from 66 countries at eight consistories.

Pope Francis creates new cardinals at a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 5, 2019. (Photo: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA)

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis said on Sunday that he will create 21 new cardinals, including the Vatican’s recently appointed doctrinal chief Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández, at a consistory on Sept. 30. 

The 86-year-old Pope made the announcement from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square after reciting the Angelus prayer on July 9.


This is the full list:

Three are over the age of 80:

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has created 121 cardinals from 66 countries at eight consistories.

The last consistory to create new cardinals took place on Aug. 27, 2022. The new cardinals included Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego and Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Ten members of the College of Cardinals have turned 80 since the last consistory, thus losing their chance to participate in a future papal election. Seven more cardinals will turn 80 before the end of the year, including Cardinal Angelo Camastri and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri. 

Immediately following the 2020 consistory, Pope Francis had appointed 83 of the members of the College of Cardinals eligible to vote in a future conclave. Benedict XVI had named 38 of the cardinal electors and John Paul II had appointed 11.

Ahead of the upcoming consistory, there are currently 121 cardinal electors, 81 (67%) of whom have been appointed by Pope Francis.

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