There will be 21 new names added to the College of Cardinals. Pope Francis' appointments from around the world include: Argentinean Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernández; American Archbishop Robert Prevost and Spanish Archbishop José Cobo. They will be officially created cardinals during the consistory on September 30.
This will be the 9th consistory of Francis' pontificate. 18 of the 21 cardinals are under 80 years old and are therefore electors in the next conclave.
About 73% of the cardinal electors have been appointed by Pope Francis—laying the groundwork for the next pope to continue Francis' objectives.
This makes it possible for the next pope to continue the path that Francis has laid out during his pontificate.
The September 30 consistory will bring the number of cardinal electors to 137.
This upcoming consistory emphasizes the Church's global diversity. Newly appointed Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-Yan is the Bishop of Hong Kong and a link of the Catholic Church in communist China.
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TR: AT
