Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals in latest mass appointment

Pope Francis named 21 new cardinals on Sunday, continuing his focus on expanding the worldwide reach of the Catholic Church.

The new cardinals include Hong Kong Bishop Stephen Sau-yan Chow, 64, and Msgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 58, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem.

Francis, 86, also named three new cardinals in Africa: Msgr. Stephen Brislin, 66, archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa; Msgr. Protase Rugambwa, 63, co-adjutor archbishop of Tabora, Tanzania; and Msgr. Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, 59, archbishop of Juba, South Sudan.

Also taking the cardinal red at a formal ceremony on Sept. 30 will be Victor Manuel Fernandez, 59, a longtime associate of Francis, the current archbishop of La Plata, Argentina and the relatively new leader of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Last week, Francis controversially appointed Fernandez to the high Vatican position, which is typically held by a cardinal.

Conservatives in the church were shaken by Fernandez’s appointment, while watchdog groups said he was unfit for part of the job, which includes investigating sex abuse allegations in the church.

Francis has now selected dozens of cardinals across the world who will likely choose his successor. The papal conclave will consist of all cardinals under age 80, a number that stands at 137 as of Sunday.

Of those 137 voters, Francis has personally chosen an estimated 70% of them, potentially ensuring his vision for the church continues beyond his lifetime.

One American, Msgr. Robert Francis Prevost, was among Francis’ selections on Sunday. Prevost, a 67-year-old Chicago native, heads the Dicastery of Bishops, which is in charge of selecting new Catholic bishops worldwide.

Since his ascendance as Pope in 2013, Francis has created 121 new cardinals from 66 countries, including 23 who have never had a cardinal before. That list expanded again Sunday, as Martin Mulla will be the first cardinal from South Sudan.

Francis also made one largely ceremonial cardinal selection, promoting 96-year-old Luis Pascual Dri of his native Buenos Aires. Dri is famous for hearing confessions at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Buenos Aires and has been praised by Francis for his mercy.

With News Wire Services