Pope Francis has appointed 21 new cardinals. This decision reflects his intention to reshape the group that will elect his successor, a knowledgeable source told Medialord.
The announcement came as he addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He also remembered the anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel.
The Pope expressed solidarity with all those suffering because of conflicts throughout the Middle East. He urged Christians to be peacemakers.
“Blood is still being shed, as are tears,” he said in a letter to all Catholics in the Middle East. “Anger is growing, along with the desire for revenge, while it seems that few people care about what is most needed and what is most desired: dialogue and peace.”
New cardinals and global dialogue
Among the new cardinals is Archbishop Dominique Mathieu of Tehran. This choice signals Pope Francis’ desire for dialogue with Islam. He aims to promote peace in the Middle East, we were told. “I appeal to the international community to end the spiral of revenge,” he stated. He urged nations to respect sovereignty through dialogue, not violence.
Pope Francis also selected Mykola Bychok, a Ukrainian bishop. At 44, he will be the youngest cardinal. Based in Australia, he ministers to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic community across Oceania.
Pope Francis reshapes the cardinal body
During his papacy, Pope Francis has changed how cardinals are chosen. He has made the body that elects his successor more representative of the global church. By discarding old rules, he has given “red hats” to bishops from diverse regions.
New cardinals include bishops from Indonesia, Algeria, Japan, and the Ivory Coast. The formal installation will occur on December 8. Other notable new cardinals are Frank Leo, the Archbishop of Toronto, and British theologian friar Timothy Radcliffe.
Voting Rights and Church Hierarchy
Only cardinals under 80 can vote in a papal election. However, all cardinals participate in pre-conclave meetings. Currently, there are 122 cardinals eligible to vote, exceeding the church’s limit of 120.
Cardinals hold senior positions in the Vatican. They serve as the pope’s main advisers. Pope Francis reminds them to see their role as a chance to serve. The red scarlet robes symbolize their readiness to sacrifice for the faith.
Pope Francis calls for peace
In his speech, Pope Francis addressed the situation in the Middle East. He called for the “immediate release” of hostages in Gaza. He lamented the ongoing suffering and destructive military actions affecting the Palestinian population. Additionally, he advocated for a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon.
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