Pope Francis appoints 21 new cardinals, among them prelates from Jerusalem and Hong Kong

Pope Francis made an exciting announcement on Sunday, revealing his selection of 21 new cardinals. This diverse group includes individuals from regions like Jerusalem and Hong Kong, where the Catholic community is in the minority. Through this decision, the pope is leaving a lasting impact on the body of churchmen who will eventually choose his successor.

During his customary weekly appearance in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis shared his picks and announced that the formal installation of the new cardinals will take place on September 30th. Among the chosen individuals are prelates who currently hold or will soon assume significant Vatican positions, including Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, who hails from La Plata, Argentina. The pope recently appointed him to lead the Holy See’s powerful office in charge of ensuring doctrinal orthodoxy and managing allegations of sexual abuse within the clergy worldwide.

The selection of new cardinals also includes Bishop Stephen Sau-yan Chow from Hong Kong and Monsignor Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Vatican’s top official in the Middle East.

 
These two churchmen play crucial roles in regions that carry immense significance for the Vatican.

Prior to announcing the new cardinals, Pope Francis expressed his hope for direct dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian authorities to end the recent spate of violence. This remark demonstrates the pope’s concern for peace and his desire to see conflicts resolved through peaceful means.

For many years, the Vatican and China have experienced a complex relationship, fraught with tensions. While there have been moments of improvement, disagreements have arisen over issues such as China’s insistence on appointing bishops and the imprisonment of priests loyal to the pope. Cardinals serve as advisers to the pontiff, offering guidance on matters of teaching, administration, and even the Vatican’s financial matters, which have faced their fair share of scandals. However, their most vital responsibility lies in convening for a secret conclave to elect the next pope. Over the course of his papacy, Pope Francis has named several batches of new cardinals, ensuring that those who will potentially vote for his successor align with his values, priorities, and perspectives.

Additionally, other notable churchmen chosen to become cardinals hail from Cape Town, South Africa; Juba, South Sudan, which the pope visited earlier this year; Penang, Malaysia; and Lodz, Poland.

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