Pope Francis Creates 21 New Cardinals, Reflects on Legacy

Pope Francis, 87, visibly bruised after a fall, created 21 new cardinals from five continents on Saturday, including bishops from cities like Algiers, Tehran, Tokyo, and Abidjan. These new cardinals, many of whom may help choose his successor, were welcomed during the tenth consistory of his papacy, which began in 2013.

During the ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope, who has faced health challenges in recent years, smiled and engaged with the cardinals despite appearing short of breath. A Vatican source indicated that his bruise was from a fall from his bed, though the Vatican did not offer official comment on the matter.

The new appointments reflect Pope Francis’ commitment to a global Church, emphasizing diversity and outreach to underrepresented regions. This year’s selections included bishops from Latin America (Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Argentina), Africa (Ivory Coast, Algeria), and the Asia-Pacific region (Tokyo and Melbourne). Notably, the archbishop of Tehran, Dominique Joseph Mathieu, was also elevated.

With these appointments, Francis now has influence over nearly 78% of the 140 cardinals eligible to elect a new pope, should the need arise. He reminded the new cardinals not to be distracted by “prestige” or “the seduction of power,” urging them to “walk in the path of Jesus.”

Following the ceremony, the new cardinals participated in a traditional “courtesy visit” and were set to attend a mass on Sunday morning at St. Peter’s. Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco of Algiers praised the appointments, highlighting their “rich diversity” and the importance of a cooperative body of cardinals.

The pope’s choices align with his focus on “peripheral” dioceses, including those in countries where Catholics are a minority, such as Indonesia. This selection breaks from the tradition of appointing cardinals from large, influential dioceses like Milan or Paris, suggesting a shift in the Church’s future priorities.

Despite ongoing health issues, including knee and hip pain, Pope Francis has stated he remains committed to his papacy for now, leaving the option of resignation open, as was done by his predecessor, Benedict XVI.