Pope Francis Announces 21 New Cardinals, Majority Under 80 And Can Follow Conclave

Pope Francis. (Source: Vaticannews)

JAKARTA - World Catholic Church leader Pope Francis announced 21 new cardinal names to be sworn in in at the Vatican concessions in September, originating from countries on various continents.

Of the 21 new cardinals announced by Pope Francis, 18 of them are under 80 years of age and are eligible to follow the Popeial Conclave to choose a new Pope.

"Let us pray for the new cardinals, that, by affirming their attachment to Christ, the great priest who is loving and loyal, they can assist me in my service as Bishop of Rome for the good of all the Holy People who are loyal to Allah," Pope Francis was quoted as saying by Vatican News July 10.

Consistori para cardinal baru akan gelar 30 September 2023 atau sebelum dimulai Sinode Sinodality, yang akan berlangsung dengan perwakilan dari seluruh dunia pada Bulan Oktober.

Later, this new cardinal consortator will be Pope Francis' ninth time since he became the head of the world's Vatican Church a decade ago.

New cardinals come from various countries, such as the United States, Italy, Argentina, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain, Colombia, South Sudan, Hong Kong, Poland, Malaysia, Tanzania, and Portugal.

After September's concession, there will be 137 voter cardinals, about 73 percent of whom were elected by Pope Francis. This raises the possibility that the next Pope will share his vision of a more progressive and inclusive Church.

The move also raises the possibility that the next Pope will come from Asia or Africa, after Pope Francis has consistently appointed voter cardinals from continents outside Europe compared to his predecessors.

"Their proposal expresses the universality of the Church which continues to spread the love of Allah who expresses love to everyone on earth," the Pope said, after his weekly Angelus prayers from the window of the Apostholic Palace in St. Peter's Square, as quoted by DW.

"In addition, the entry of new cardinals into Rome's Diocese shows an inseparable bond between St. Peter's Throne and local churches spread throughout the world," the Pope said.

It is known, all cardinals regardless of age are allowed to take part in a pre-conclave meeting, known as the Generalized Congregation, providing input on the type of people they think can be selected by cardinals.

The three new cardinals announced by the Pope and have an age of over 80, namely, Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, Archbishop Diego Padr