The 21 new cardinals come from all corners of the world—from South Africa and the United States to Hong Kong and Spain.
The appointment came directly from Pope Francis—whom some of them have known for decades.
ABP. ÁNGEL SIXTO ROSSI
Archdiocese of Córdoba, Argentina
I've known him since when I asked to enter the Company of Jesus. I had to go to the provincial—the superior of the Jesuits in Argentina. At that time, I was 18 years old and he was, not even 40, maybe 37. He was the youngest Jesuit provincial in the world.
Pope Francis' announcement to create new cardinals was a surprise for many of the 21 men, who now have to take their experiences in their local churches and apply it to the universal Church.
ABP. JOSÉ COBO CANO
Archdiocese of Madrid, Spain
I think that right now I feel I have a great responsibility. I'm a little overwhelmed because I am learning. I was in my diocese, where we knew Rome and the world of Rome from Madrid. And now it is learning to see the Church, which is the great challenge, to see the Church also with other eyes, to see the Church in a global way and to see the Church also in all the immensity of the people of God.
The Pope's appointment helps some of these men give a voice to their communities back home—no matter how far away from Rome they are.
ABP. STEPHEN AMEYU MARTIN MULLA
Archdiocese of Juba, South Sudan
The Holy Father would like to bring the marginalized to the mainstream.
I know we can contribute to this universal Church. We are a local church but we can still contribute to this universal Church.
Before receiving their red hats, many of these local church leaders came from countries facing challenges. And their work in aiding their communities back home will continue even after the consistory.
ABP. PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
Many people ask me: so what will the future be? The Middle East will be without Christians or will have a token number of Christians. There is a risk. We have to work a lot to avoid it.
But you also have to work a lot on faith—the social faith, the faith of apparentness, inherited. This is not enough. Hope is what must sustain the life of Christians in the Holy Land.
The 21 new men join the most diverse College of Cardinals in history. The number of cardinals from Asia has quadrupled and the number of Italians has reduced by half since the conclave of 2013.
KG
