New appointments to the College of Cardinals: Pope Francis strengthens the universality of the Church
Under a radiant sun, Saint-Pierre Square was the scene of a solemn ceremony this Saturday morning. Pope Francis presided over a consistory during which he created 21 new cardinals, from four different continents. This decision aims to strengthen the image of a universal and diverse Church, dear to the Argentine sovereign pontiff.
Among the new cardinals, we can cite the Archbishop of Cordoba, Angel Sixto Rossi, and the Archbishop of Bogota in Colombia, Luis Jose Rueda Aparicio. These two personalities were presented with the cardinal bar by Pope Francis himself, symbolizing their key role within the Church.
This ceremony also marked a first for the diocese of Corsica, with the appointment of Mgr François-Xavier Bustillo, bishop of Ajaccio. Likewise, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, entered the College of Cardinals for the first time in its history, thus highlighting the importance of this region within the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis was keen to emphasize the importance of diversity within the College of Cardinals, comparing it to a symphony orchestra. Each member must play his or her own part with excellence, thus contributing to the harmony and unity of the Church. This diversity is essential to reflect the synodality of the Church and to respond to current challenges.
With these new appointments, the College of Cardinals now has 242 members, of whom 138 are eligible to participate in a conclave and elect a new pope in the event of a vacancy in the papal seat. This decision by Pope Francis shows his desire to give a voice to different regions of the world and to promote an inclusive Catholic Church open to the world.
This consistory ceremony therefore takes on a particular significance, highlighting Pope Francis’ commitment to a universal Church, where every voice counts and diversity is valued. These new cardinals will have a crucial role to play in decision-making and the direction of the Catholic Church, thus contributing to the construction of a future resolutely focused on unity and fraternity.