Pope Francis has made headlines once again by appointing 21 new cardinals, a significant step in his ongoing effort to reshape the electoral body that will choose his successor. This surprise announcement coincided with the Pope’s comments on the escalating conflict in the Middle East and the anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel.
Among the newly appointed cardinals is Archbishop Dominique Mathieu from Tehran, highlighting the Pope’s commitment to fostering dialogue with Islam and promoting peace in the region. “I appeal to the international community to end the spiral of revenge,” Francis urged, emphasizing the need for all nations to exist in peace and security, respecting sovereignty through dialogue rather than conflict.
The Pope also selected Ukrainian bishop Mykola Bychok, who at 44 will be the youngest cardinal, serving the Ukrainian Greek Catholic community in Australia. This diverse new cohort includes bishops from Indonesia, Algeria, Japan, and the Ivory Coast, reflecting Francis’ approach to making the College of Cardinals more representative of the global church.
The formal installation of the new cardinals will take place on December 8. Currently, there are 122 cardinals eligible to vote in a papal election, surpassing the canonically prescribed limit of 120, a common practice among previous pontiffs.
During his address, Pope Francis also called for the immediate release of hostages in Gaza and lamented the increasing suffering in the Middle East due to ongoing military actions, urging for a ceasefire across the region, including Lebanon. He reiterated that cardinals should embrace their roles as servants of the church rather than “princes,” donning the traditional red robes to symbolize their commitment to the faith.
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