Of the churchmen named new cardinals at the induction ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica, 16 are under the age of 80 and can therefore participate in a conclave — the ceremonial, shrouded, locked-door assembly of cardinals who cast paper ballots to elect a new pope. Francis, 85, has now named 83 of the 132 cardinals who are currently young enough to participate in a conclave. The rest were appointed by the two previous popes, Saint John Paul II and Benedict XVI, whose unexpected retirement in 2013 paved the way for Francis’ election. With the eight batches of cardinals named by Francis, the prospects are strengthened that whoever becomes the next pontiff will share his vision for the future of the church. Francis reminded the cardinals of their mission, which he said includes “an opening to all peoples, to the horizons of the world, to regions that are still unknown.” Underscoring Francis’ attention to those on the margins of society, among the new cardinals is Archbishop Anthony Pula of Hyderabad, India. The prelate, 60, is the first member of the Dalit community, considered the lowest rung of India’s caste system, to be made a cardinal. One by one, the younger cardinals, whose red cassocks and headdresses symbolize the blood they must be ready to shed if necessary in their mission, knelt before Francis, who placed on their heads the famous biretta, as it is known the hat with the three peaks. This intimate moment was an opportunity to exchange a few words with Francis, who smiled to put them at ease. From time to time, the seated Francis, who himself suffered from mobility problems, lent his hands to help the kneeling cardinals to their feet. In choosing San Diego Bishop Robert Walter McElroy, Francis bypassed US churchmen who traditionally lead more prestigious dioceses, including San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. McElroy was among a minority of American bishops who opposed a campaign to deny Communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. Cordileone said he would not long allow US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to receive an Abortion Rights Fellowship. While he is adamantly against abortion as a grave sin, Francis has also decried what he calls a weapon of Society. McElroy last year was also among a small group of US bishops who signed a statement denouncing the bullying often directed at LGBTQ youth. Francis has sought to make gay Catholics feel welcome in the church, whose teaching holds that same-sex contact is a sin. Among the newest cardinals is Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr of Wa, Ghana, who has spoken out against LGBTQ rights. The African primate felt ill when he arrived in Rome on Friday and was treated for a heart problem, the pope told the other cardinals, asking them to pray “for this brother who should have been here.” Asked by the Associated Press about such conflicting views among church leaders, McElroy replied that “there are always cultural differences within the life of the church as there are within the human family. And different cultures approach these questions in different ways.” McElroy added: “My view is that we have an obligation in the church to make LGBT people feel as welcome in the life of the church as everyone else.” As electing future pontiffs is a key role for cardinals, McElroy, 68, was asked how he thought Francis said resignation was a valid option for popes. “In the first place, I think it’s a good idea at a certain moment when they feel they can no longer bear the burdens of this office, but I think this pope is a long way from that moment,” the American primate said. “I think he sees himself very far from that moment. What he has is a mobility issue, but it hasn’t affected his mind. I can tell you he’s still on top of things.” “But this violence was not born there, it came from outside,” Steiner, 71, said. “It’s always money-related violence. Concessions, deforestation, both with mining and fishing.” At 48, the youngest member among the ranks of cardinals is an Italian missionary in Mongolia, where Catholics number about 1,300. Francis “knows how important it is to support these small communities,” said the new cardinal, Giorgio Marengo. Initially, the Pope had chosen 21 new cardinals. However, retired Belgian bishop Luc Van Looy declined the honor, citing his inadequate handling of cases of sexually abusive priests while he led the diocese of Ghent from 2004-2020.
Sabrina Sergi and Fanuel Morelli contributed to this report.
