Pope Francis announces the creation of 21 new cardinals: these are their names

(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 10.06.2024).- In a moment that has become characteristic of his twelve-year papacy, Pope Francis once again surprised the Catholic world with his announcement of new cardinals. On a sunny afternoon, after leading the traditional Angelus prayer from the window of the Apostolic Palace, the Pontiff revealed the list of prelates who will receive the red biretta on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

From Latin America to Africa, and from Asia to Europe, the Pope’s selections reflect his commitment to creating a truly global Church, one that embraces both the peripheries and the major ecclesiastical hubs. This latest consistory—his tenth—further reinforces his vision of a Church that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.

Among the newly announced cardinals is Monsignor Baldassare Reina, set to become the new Vicar of Rome, succeeding Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, who was appointed Major Penitentiary earlier this year. Reina has been serving as the vicegerent of the Diocese of Rome and now takes on one of the most prominent roles within the Vatican’s leadership.

The list also includes a remarkable entry: Archbishop Angelo Acerbi, who, at 99 years old, is likely the oldest cardinal ever to be created by Pope Francis. Acerbi’s age places him among the group of cardinals who will not participate in a future papal conclave, due to their age. Despite this, his inclusion is a testament to his decades-long service in the diplomatic corps of the Holy See.

Latin America continues to be well represented in this new batch of cardinals, reflecting the region’s importance to Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope. The new cardinals from the continent include Archbishop Carlos Gustavo Castillo of Lima, Peru; Archbishop Vicente Bokalic of Santiago del Estero, Argentina; Archbishop Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera of Guayaquil, Ecuador; Archbishop Fernando Chomali of Santiago, Chile; and Archbishop Jaime Spengler of Porto Alegre, Brazil.

The consistory also features prominent figures from the Roman Curia, underlining the Pope’s focus on strengthening Vatican leadership. Father Fabio Baggio, a Scalabrinian priest and the undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, is one of these key figures. He is also the director of the «Borgo Laudato Si'» initiative, a project focused on environmental education inspired by the Pope’s landmark encyclical “Laudato Si’”.

Another significant appointment is Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas of Lithuania, who currently oversees the management of the papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Additionally, Monsignor George Kovakaad from India, renowned for his work in organizing papal trips, will also join the College of Cardinals.

The Pope’s vision of a Church that is both local and universal is further emphasized by the diversity of this consistory’s appointments. His selection of leaders from smaller and often overlooked regions, as well as the inclusion of high-ranking members of the Curia, demonstrates his ongoing efforts to reshape the global Church.

In previous consistories, Pope Francis has made a point of elevating voices from the margins, seeking to reflect the globalized nature of the Church in the 21st century. This latest announcement is no exception, as it includes a broad mix of cardinals from vastly different cultural, political, and social contexts. The Pope’s focus on inclusivity and global representation in the College of Cardinals ensures that the Church will continue to reflect the rich diversity of its 1.3 billion members.

As the Church prepares for the consistory on December 8, the Catholic world will watch closely, not only to celebrate the new cardinals but also to witness how this latest selection of leaders will shape the future of the Church under Pope Francis. With each consistory, the Pope strengthens his vision of a Church that is deeply connected to its people, wherever they may be, and committed to addressing the most pressing issues of our time—from environmental sustainability to social justice.

List of the Future Cardinals

H.E. Msgr. Angelo Acerbi, Apostolic Nuncio
H.E. Mgr. Carlos Gustavo CASTILLO MATTASOGLIO Archbishop of Lima (Peru)
H.E. Msgr. Vicente BOKALIC IGLIC C.M., Archbishop of Santiago del Estero (Primate of Argentina).
H.E. Msgr. Luis Gerardo CABRERA HERRERA, O.F.M., Archbishop of Guayaquil (Ecuador).
H.E. Msgr. Fernando Natalio CHOMALÍ GARIB Archbishop of Santiago de Chile (Chile).
Archbishop Tarcisio Isao KIKUCHI, S.V.D., Archbishop of Tokyo (Japan).
H.E. Msgr. Pablo Virgilio SIONGCO DAVID, Bishop of Kalookan (Philippines).
H. E. Msgr. Ladislav NEMET, S.V.D., Archbishop of Beograd -Smederevo, (Serbia).
H.E. Msgr. Jaime SPENGLER, O.F.M., Archbishop of Porto Alegre (Brasil).
H.E. Mgr Ignace BESSI DOGBO, Archbishop of Abidjan (Ivory Coast).
H.E. Mgr Jean-Paul VESCO, O.P., Archbishop of Alger (Algeria).
H.E. Mgr. Paskalis Bruno SYUKUR, O.F.M., Bishop of Bogor (Indonesia).
H. E. Msgr. Dominique Joseph MATHIEU, O.F.M. Conv., Archbishop of Tehran Ispahan (Iran).
H.E. Msgr. Roberto REPOLE, Archbishop of Turin (Italy).
H.E. Msgr. Baldassare REINA, Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, formerly Vice-gerent and, as of today, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome.
H.E. Msgr. Francis LEO, Archbishop of Toronto (Canada).
H.E. Msgr. Rolandas MAKRICKAS, Archpriest Coadjutor Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major.
H.E. Mgr Mykola BYCHOK, C.S.R., Bishop of the Eparchy Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians
R.P. Timothy Peter Joseph RADCLIFFE, OP, theologian
R. P. Fabio BAGGIO, C.S., Under Secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development
Mgr George Jacob KOOVAKAD, Official of the Secretary of State, Responsible for Travel