The new cardinals appointed by Pope Francis in 2023
Pope Francis continues to shape the Catholic Church with his progressive vision and commitment to developing regions. On September 30, 2023, the Pope appointed twenty-one new cardinals, reflecting his priorities and his desire for diversity within the College of Cardinals.
In a significant move, the pope chose cardinals from four different continents, highlighting the importance of voices from around the world. Among these new cardinals, eighteen are under the age of 80 and will therefore have the possibility of participating in the election of the next pope.
The list of new cardinals testifies to Pope Francis’ interest in developing regions. There are representatives from Latin America, Africa and Asia, areas where the Church is experiencing significant growth. This shows the importance the pope places on promoting clergy from these regions to the highest offices in the Church.
Among the new cardinals are also two French, the bishop of Ajaccio François Bustillo and Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States. This appointment underlines the pope’s recognition of the contributions of French Catholics.
Pope Francis also chose three close collaborators, members of the Curia, the central government of the Holy See. This decision shows the importance the Pope places on the diversity of expertise and perspectives within the Church.
This transformation of the College of Cardinals reflects Pope Francis’ vision for a Catholic Church that is more open, closer to the realities of developing regions and more representative of the diversity of the world. The new cardinals appointed by the Pope bring a unique voice to the Church, which will continue to evolve under the influence of this new generation of leaders.
In short, the appointments of new cardinals by Pope Francis in 2023 demonstrate his desire to diversify and revitalize the Catholic Church. This decision demonstrates the pope’s commitment to developing regions and his desire to give voice to a multitude of cultures and perspectives within the Church. The future of the Catholic Church is therefore taking shape with a direction marked by progressivism and diversity, under the leadership of Pope Francis.