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Pope Francis has announced the creation of 21 new cardinals, with the ceremony set for December 8. This diverse group includes a range of ages and nationalities, highlighting the global nature of the Catholic Church. Among those named are a 99-year-old former nuncio and a 44-year-old Ukrainian bishop.
The announcement was made on October 6, with the pope emphasizing that the new cardinals represent "the universality of the church." He stated, “Their origin expresses the universality of the church, which continues to proclaim God’s merciful love to all people on earth.” The ceremony will take place in St. Peter's Square after the Angelus prayer.
The list includes representatives from various continents: eight from Europe, five from Latin America, five from Asia, two from Africa, and one from North America — Archbishop Francis Leo of Toronto. Pope Francis also appointed Cardinal-designate Baldassare Reina as his new vicar for the Diocese of Rome.
Among those named is Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe, known for his theological work and role as spiritual adviser to the Synod of Bishops on synodality. Indian Msgr. George Jacob Koovakad, who organizes papal trips at the Vatican Secretariat of State, is also included.
Italian Archbishop Angelo Acerbi is noted as the oldest appointee at 99 years old. Bishop Mykola Bychok stands out as the youngest at 44; he leads Melbourne's Ukrainian Eparchy.
The full list reflects a broad spectrum of backgrounds and experiences:
— Italian Archbishop Angelo Acerbi
— Archbishop Carlos Gustavo Castillo Mattasoglio (Peru)
— Archbishop Vicente Bokalic Iglic (Argentina)
— Archbishop Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera (Ecuador)
— Archbishop Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib (Chile)
— Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi (Japan)
— Bishop Pablo Virgilio Siongco David (Philippines)
— Archbishop Ladislav Nemet (Serbia)
— Archbishop Jaime Spengler (Brazil)
— Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo (Ivory Coast)
— Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco (Algeria)
— Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur (Indonesia)
— Archbishop Dominique Joseph Mathieu (Iran)
— Archbishop Roberto Repole (Italy)
— Auxiliary Bishop Baldassare Reina (Rome)
— Archbishop Francis Leo (Canada)
— Lithuanian Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas
— Bishop Mykola Bychok (Australia)
— English Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe
— Italian Scalabrinian Father Fabio Baggio
— Indian Msgr. George Jacob Koovakad
This announcement underscores Pope Francis's commitment to fostering a church that mirrors its global congregation through diverse leadership.
