Pope Francis Names 21 New Cardinals; New Theology Czar Included in Roster

Pope Francis announced Sunday (July 9) his intention to create 21 new cardinals at a consistory on Sept. 30.

Vatican News reported the 86-year-old pontiff stated his intent during Sunday's Angelus address from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square.

Among the clerics named in the next consistory include the newly-appointed doctrinal chief Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández, who has been controversial for his previous work, such as his book "Heal Me With Your Mouth: The Art of Kissing," and allegations of covering up priests alleged to be involved in sex abuse cases.

Vatican clergy czar Archbishop Robert Francis Prevost, an American and Apostolic Nuncio to the US, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, would also be named cardinal in the upcoming consistory.

Also included in the upcoming consistory is Hong Kong Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-Yan, one of the Vatican's links in communist China.

Updates on the College of Cardinals

In total, 17 bishops and one priest would become cardinal electors, those named before the age of 80 who are eligible to elect or become the next pope if the current pope dies, resigns, or is declared incapacitated. Almost half of the new cardinal electors are European.

Three clerics over the age of 80, and are not eligible to participate in a future papal election, would also be named in the upcoming consistory: Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, a retired apostolic nuncio of Italian descent, retired Venezuelan Archbishop Diego Rafael Padrón Sánchez, and the Rev. Luis Pascual Dri, a confessor at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Buenos Aires.

Since his election, Francis has created 121 cardinals from 66 countries at eight consistories. The last consistory happened on August 27, 2022, which included the Vatican's liturgy chief Cardinal Arthur Roche.

Ten members of the College of Cardinals have already turned 80 since the last consistory, with seven more cardinals turning 80 before the end of the year.

Before the September consistory, Pope Francis appointed 121 cardinal electors, 81 (67%) of them.