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College of Cardinals

The College of Cardinals celebrates Mass on March 12, 2013, before entering the Sistine Chapel for the papal conclave. | Credit: Jeffrey Bruno/CNA

The Ever-changing College of Cardinals and Cardinal-electors: Analysis

Mar 13, 2024

Were a conclave to begin today, there would be 94 cardinal-electors created by Pope Francis, 27 created by Benedict XVI, and eight made by John Paul II.

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals from across the world at the Saturday morning, Sept. 30, 2023, consistory in St. Peter’s Square. | Credit: Vatican Media

Here’s what the Church’s Newest Cardinals Think About the Synod on Synodality

Oct 3, 2023

Six cardinals who are participating in this month’s Synod on Synodality — and five who are not — told CNA their ideas of and expectations for the assembly.

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals from across the world at a Saturday morning consistory in St. Peter’s Square (Sept. 30, 2023). | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Creates 21 New Cardinals, Expanding Body's Geographic Diversity

Sep 30, 2023

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals from across the world at a Saturday morning consistory in St. Peter’s Square, reflecting on how the geographic expansion of the Church’s leadership represents a fulfillment of the promise of Pentecost.

The extraordinary consistory of cardinals meets at the Vatican's Synod Hall, Aug. 29, 2022. | Credit: Vatican Media

What is a Consistory? Your Questions Answered

Sep 29, 2023

Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s consistory.

Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of Juba and his episcopal coat of arms (top left); Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong and his episcopal coat of arms (top right); Bishop Américo Aguiar of Setúbal, Portugal, and his coat of arms (bottom left); Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town and his coat of arms. | Credit: ACI Africa; Archdiocese of Juba; Society of Jesus/Diocese of Hong Kong; Patriarchate of Lisbon; Archdiocese of Cape Town

Catholic Church’s New Cardinals Explain Why They Chose Their Spiritual Mottos

Sep 28, 2023

Episcopal mottos are selected when a Catholic priest is consecrated as a bishop and are traditionally found at the base of his coat of arms.

Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti with Pope Francis | Vatican Media

ANALYSIS: How to Interpret Pope Francis’ Choice of New Cardinals

Jul 11, 2023

With his ninth consistory in 10 years of his pontificate, Pope Francis will lock down his influence on the College of Cardinals for the next conclave, considering the overwhelming majority of cardinals will have been created by him.

Pope Francis speaks during Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Aug. 30, 2022. Daniel Ibáñez / CNA

We are Jointly Responsible for the Church: Pope Francis to Cardinals

Aug 30, 2022

We have the same mission to evangelize the world as did the apostles 2,000 years ago, a fact that should fill us with wonder at our position of responsibility, Pope Francis said at Mass with the College of Cardinals Tuesday.

Pope Francis visits Benedict XVI on Aug. 27th, 2022. Vatican Media

New Cardinals and Pope Francis Pay Visit to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Aug 28, 2022

Pope Francis joined 19 of the Church’s 20 newly installed cardinals Saturday in a visit with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at his Vatican residence.

Pope Francis holds an Ordinary Public Consistory in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace, May 3, 2021. Vatican Media.

Who Will Vote for a New Pope after Francis? A Look at the Cardinals by the Numbers

Aug 25, 2022

On Aug. 27, Pope Francis will create 20 new cardinals, bringing the total number in the college to 229. 

A consistory for the creation of new cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica Nov. 28, 2020. Vatican Media.

Who Are the New Cardinals Pope Francis Created in 2022?

Aug 24, 2022

There will be 16 cardinals under the age of 80 elevated at the next consistory, to be held Aug. 27. 

Bishop Lucas Van Looy, S.D.B., pictured at a Vatican press conference on the family synod, Oct. 23, 2015. Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Pope Francis Accepts Belgian Bishop’s Request Not to Be Made a Cardinal

Jun 16, 2022

Bishop Lucas Van Looy was due to receive the red hat on Aug. 27.

Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke. Credit: CADEK

Being Named Cardinal Opportunity to “do my best for salvation of souls”: Nigerian Bishop

Jun 10, 2022

Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke, one of the two Cardinals-designate from Africa, has described his being named candidate to receive a red from Pope Francis in August as an opportunity to “continue to do my best for the salvation of souls”. 

Bishop Giorgio Marengo, Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, who will be elevated to cardinal Aug. 27, 2022. Amunra Magnus via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

47-year-old Consolata Missionary Bishop in Mongolia to Become the Youngest Cardinal

Jun 2, 2022

A Consolata missionary Bishop who has ministered in the East Asian nation of Mongolia for nearly 20 years will soon become the world’s youngest cardinal.

Newly named Cardinals from Africa: Bishop Peter Okpaleke of Nigeria’s Ekwulobia Diocese (left) and Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr of Wa Diocese in Ghana (right). Credit: Courtesy Photo

Pope Francis Names 21 New Cardinals, Including Two from Africa

May 29, 2022

Pope Francis has said that he will create 21 new Cardinals, including two Bishops from Africa, one from Nigeria and the other from Ghana.

Newly named Cardinal from Nigeria, Bishop Peter Okpaleke of Nigeria’s Ekwulobia Diocese. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Nigerian Bishop Who “resigned” amid Sustained Opposition among 21 Newly Named Cardinals

May 29, 2022

Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke who resigned in 2018 following sustained opposition to his Episcopal appointment for Nigeria’s Ahiara Diocese is among the 21 new Cardinals that Pope Francis named on Sunday, May 29.

Chilean Cardinal Jorge Medina Estévez (1926-2021). Biblioteca (BCN) Congreso Nacional de Chile via Wikimedia (CC BY 2.0).

Pope Francis Mourns "self-sacrificing" Cardinal Who Announced Benedict XVI’s Election

Oct 4, 2021

Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estévez died Oct. 3 at the age of 94.

Cardinal George Pell at the annual Eucharistic procession at the Angelicum in Rome, May 13, 2021./ Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Cardinal George Pell Turns 80, Loses Right to Vote in Papal Conclave

Jun 8, 2021

Cardinal George Pell turned 80 years old on Tuesday, losing his eligibility to vote in a future papal conclave.

Cardinal Antoine Kambanda receives the red hat from Pope Francis November 28, 2020. / Vatican Media.

Fostering Family “as domestic church” to Remain Priority for Rwanda’s First Cardinal

Dec 1, 2020

The new Cardinal for Rwanda, the first-ever Cardinal in the landlocked Great Rift Valley East African nation, will continue to prioritize family apostolate in what he considers the rebuilding of “internal structures” that the country requires.

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

Two Cardinals-designate Will Be Absent from Nov. 28 Consistory, Vatican Confirms

Nov 23, 2020

The Vatican confirmed Monday that two cardinals-designate will not receive their red hats from Pope Francis in Rome this Saturday, November 28.

Archbishop Antoine Kambanda of Rwanda’s Kigali Archdiocese, the only African Prelate among the 13 new Cardinals who were named Sunday, October 25.

“It was a big surprise for me, I did not expect it”: Rwanda’s First Cardinal-elect

Oct 26, 2020

Archbishop Antoine Kambanda of Rwanda’s Kigali Archdiocese, the only African Prelate among the 13 new Cardinals who were named Sunday, October 25 has described his appointment as “a big surprise” beyond his expectation.