Pope Francis continues to mark the history of the Catholic Church with the creation of 21 new cardinals from various continents. The move reflects the progressive vision of the pope, who seeks to diversify and rejuvenate the Sacred College, the body charged with electing the next pope.
The ordination of the cardinals took place during a solemn ceremony in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, in front of thousands of faithful. These new cardinals, from the United States, France, Italy, Argentina, Switzerland, South Africa and other countries, were chosen for their experience and their commitment to a more inclusive and turned towards the peripheries of the world.
Among these new appointments, we can note the importance given to regions often forgotten or in conflict. Malaysia and South Sudan thus obtained their first cardinal, showing the pope’s desire to highlight the difficult situations in which many Catholics live.
The step also marks a significant step forward for Hong Kong, where the Vatican seeks to promote the rights and religious freedom of Catholics. Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-Yan, newly named cardinal, made a historic visit to communist China last April, thus testifying to the desire for dialogue and rapprochement between the Church and the country.
The appointments of French cardinals are also notable, with the Bishop of Ajaccio, Mgr François Bustillo, and Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States. These new appointments strengthen the representation of France within the Sacred College.
Finally, it is worth highlighting the promotion of the first Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, to the rank of cardinal. This appointment provides an important place for the voice of Eastern Catholics in decision-making within the Church.
In his speech during the ceremony, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of diversity within the Sacred College, comparing the college of cardinals to a “symphony orchestra” where each member must listen to the others. This vision of an inclusive Church open to dialogue is at the heart of Pope Francis’ action.
With these new appointments, the Pope marks an important step in the composition of the Sacred College, rejuvenating and diversifying the members called to one day elect his successor. This decision testifies to the Pope’s commitment to a Church that responds to the challenges of today’s world and is open to all.