Consistory

Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples, Italy, named a Cardinal

04/11/2024

Pope Francis adds a Cardinal to the Consistory, Archbishop Battaglia of Naples

‘Don Mimmo’, as he is known, joins the list of cardinals who will receive the red hat on 7 December next. Born in Calabria and Archbishop of Naples, Italy, since 2020, he is well ...

Cardinal-elect George Koovakad with Pope Francis aboard the papal plane

25/10/2024

Meet Cardinal-elect George Jacob Koovakad

Cardinal-elect George Jacob Koovakad, Organizer of Papal Journeys who was just appointed as Titular Archbishop of Nisibis of the Chaldeans in Türkiye, speaks to Vatican News about ...

22/10/2024

Bishop Syukur declines cardinalate to ‘grow in priestly life'

Pope Francis accepts the request of Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur of the Indonesian Diocese of Bogor, who asked not to be created a cardinal at the upcoming Consistory on December ...

Pope Francis with Cardinal-elect Mykola Bychok

17/10/2024

Meet Cardinal-elect Mykola Bychok of Melbourne

Cardinal-elect Mykola Bychok, the Bishop of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania, speaks to Vatican News ...

12/10/2024

Pope to Cardinals-elect: Keep your eyes raised, your hands joined, your feet bare

Ahead of the Consistory that will raise them to the dignity of the Cardinalate, Pope Francis writes to the new Cardinals-elect, inviting them to embody three attitudes that ...

Cardinal-elect Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo, Japan

09/10/2024

Meet Cardinal-elect Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo

In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican Media, Cardinal-elect Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo, Japan, and President of Caritas Internationalis, discusses the state of the Church, ...

Cardinal-elect George Jakob Koovakad with Pope Francis aboard the papal plane

07/10/2024

Cardinal-elect Koovakad is first serving organizer of papal visits to be created Cardinal

After Pope Francis announced he would create Indian-born Fr. George Koovakad a Cardinal on December 8, our Editorial Director recalls that there have been two previous appointments ...

07/10/2024

Cardinal-elect Acerbi: My appointment a recognition for all diplomats

Pope Francis’ announcement of a Consistory on December 8 will see the creation of 21 new cardinals from all four continents. 99-year-old former Apostolic Nuncio, Angelo Acerbi, ...

File photo of consistory for the creation of new Cardinals

06/10/2024

Pope Francis announces Consistory for creation of 21 new Cardinals

Pope Francis announces a consistory for the creation of 21 new Cardinals from around the world to be held in the Vatican on 7 December 2024.

Pope Francis presides at Monday's Ordinary Public Consistory of Cardinals

01/07/2024

Carlo Acutis and 14 Blesseds approved for canonization

Pope Francis presides at an Ordinary Consistory of Cardinals, which approved the canonization of 15 people, including Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be made a saint. ...

19/06/2024

Cardinals set to vote to canonize Carlo Acutis, 14 others

Pope Francis will preside at an Ordinary Public Consistory on July 1, when Cardinals present in Rome are set to give the final go-ahead for the canonization of 15 Blesseds.

Brother Luis in his confessional in Buenos Aires

30/09/2023

New Cardinal Luis Pascual Dri: 'The Lord is always merciful‘

Argentinean Cardinal-elect, Brother Luis Pascual Dri, was unable to be present at Saturday‘s Consistory for health reasons, but says Pope Francis has told him to rest assured.

30/09/2023

Pope to new Cardinals: Work for 'an ever more symphonic and synodal Church'

In his homily during the Consistory for the creation of 21 new Cardinals, Pope Francis reflects on unity and diversity in the Church, highlighting the importance of synodality ...

28/09/2023

New Cardinal Chow Sau-yan: Pope Francis has a nickname - the Pope of Surprises

The 21 new cardinals-elect did not know they will be appointed. That is why Pope Francis is called the Pope of Surprises, says one of the new cardinals, Stephen Chow Sau-yan, ...

28/09/2023

Cardinal-elect Brislin: The position of a cardinal is about serving

Ahead of Saturday's consistory, when Pope Francis will appoint 21 new cardinals, newly elected Cardinal Stephen Brislin, archbishop of Cape Town, spoke with Vatican News about his ...

2023.08.30 S.E. Mons. Pierbattista Pizzaballa

21/09/2023

Cardinal-elect Pizzaballa: Jerusalem is heart of the world

Ahead of his creation as Cardinal by Pope Francis on 30 September, Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa expresses his hopes that his appointment might further raise the status of ...

14/07/2023

Cardinal-elect Marchetto at the service of migrants and refugees

Cardinal-elect Agostino Marchetto has worn many hats during decades of service to the Church and to the Holy See. In an interview with Vatican Radio, he expresses his view that ...

11/07/2023

South African Cardinal-elect: 'We need a healing only God can bring about'

Cardinal-elect Stephen Brislin, the Archbishop of Cape Town in South Africa, is one of the three Africans to be elevated to the highest rank of the Catholic hierarchy during the ...

Pope Francis announces a consistory for the creation of new cardinals on 30 September

10/07/2023

Pope's surprise announcement of new cardinals from across globe

By choosing to celebrate the consistory in September, Pope Francis is focusing attention on the upcoming Synod, as many of the new cardinals hail from the “peripheries” of the ...

Cardinal-designate Archbishop Robert Prevost, O.S.A., prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops

10/07/2023

Cardinal-designate Prevost sees new role as a way to "walk together"

Cardinal-designate Robert Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, believes his future responsibility as a Cardinal will allow him to offer new ways to carry out his mission ...

Cardinal-elect Pizzaballa celebrates Mass on Easter Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

10/07/2023

Pizzaballa: Appointment as Cardinal shows Jerusalem’s vocation to dialogue

The Latin Patriarch of the Jerusalem, Cardinal-designate Pierbattista Pizzaballa, speaks about his recent appointment as Cardinal by Pope Francis, calling it a recognition of the ...

Cardinal-elect François-Xavier Bustillo, O.F.M. Conv.

10/07/2023

Cardinal-elect Bustillo: A special link with the Pope for faithful of Ajaccio

Amongst the 21 men to be created Cardinals by Pope Francis on 30 September is Cardinal-designate François-Xavier Bustillo, the Bishop of Ajaccio in Corsica, who expresses his ...

Cardinal-elect Luis Dri with Pope Francis

09/07/2023

Soon-to-be Cardinal, the confessor who apologised to Jesus for forgiving too much

Father Luis Dri, 96, a Capuchin friar who has been confessing for years at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Buenos Aires, in the evening, used to ask for forgiveness before the ...

09/07/2023

Brief biographies of 21 future Cardinals

As Pope Francis announces he will create 21 new Cardinals, we offer a brief biography of each of the future Cardinals who will be given 'red hats' on 30 September 2023.

A view of the damage following an Israeli military operation

09/07/2023

Pope Francis appeals for Holy Land & Ukraine

Following his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis appeals for dialogue in the Holy Land, for prayers for war-torn Ukraine, and announces a consistory for the creation of new ...

31/08/2022

We are confirmed in our faith, says Cardinal Onaiyekan, after meeting of Cardinals.

Close to 200 of the world’s Cardinals have been meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican for the last three days to discuss Pope Francis’ reform of the Roman Curia.

30/08/2022

Pope to Cardinals: May wonder, gratitude be ever alive in our hearts

Members of the College of Cardinals gather with Pope Francis for an evening Mass on Tuesday, marking the culmination of several events at the Vatican, and the Pope encourages us to ...

27/08/2022

Pope Francis and new cardinals visit Benedict XVI

In a brief meeting at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, Pope Francis presented the new Cardinals to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who prayed with them and blessed them.

27/08/2022

Pope to new Cardinals: 'May we bring fire of God's love to all'

In his homily during the Consistory, Pope Francis encourages 20 newly-created Cardinals to embrace apostolic zeal and bear witness to God's boundless love, and asks everyone to ...

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27/08/2022

Meet the newest Cardinal from the United States

In a wide-ranging interview, the newest Cardinal of the United States, Cardinal-elect Robert McElroy of San Diego, shares his thoughts on how Pope Francis' teachings resonate with ...

26/08/2022

Cardinal Grech: 'Synodality, theme for reform of Roman Curia'

In an interview with Vatican Radio, Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, says synodality is at the heart of the reform of the Roman Curia and shares his ...

22/08/2022

Cardinal Becciu to participate in the next consistory

Cardinal Angelo Becciu has revealed that he has received an invitation from the Pope to take part in the meeting of cardinals on 27 August.

11/08/2022

Meet the first Cardinal of East Timor

In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican News, meet Cardinal-elect Virgilio do Carmo da Silva of Dili, who will become East Timor's first Cardinal at the end of August.

04/07/2022

Meet the soon-to-be first Cardinal of Singapore

In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican News, Cardinal-elect William Goh discusses the reality in the international business hub of Singapore, explaining how affluence can impact ...

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24/06/2022

A dialogue with future Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik

In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican News, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, Cardinal-elect Lazarus You Heung-sik, praises the heroism of many priests worldwide, and ...

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17/06/2022

Pope accepts Bishop Van Looy's request not to be made a cardinal

Pope Francis accepts Belgian Bishop Lucas Van Looy’s request not to be made a cardinal after the announcement provoked criticism that he did not always react decisively enough ...

08/06/2022

First Dalit Cardinal: My mission, help as many poor children as possible

In a wide-ranging interview, the first “Dalit” Cardinal in history, Cardinal-elect Anthony Poola of Hyderabad, India, who will receive the red hat at the 27 August Consistory, ...

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29/05/2022

An end-of-summer Consistory that looks to the world

As Pope Francis announces he will preside at the eighth consistory for the creation of Cardinals, we take a look at the 21 men chosen to wear the red hat and where they come from.

29/05/2022

Pope announces 21 new Cardinals from around the world

Pope Francis announces that he will create 21 new Cardinals at a Consistory on Saturday, 27 August. They represent the Church worldwide, and reflect a wide variety of cultures, ...

04/03/2022

Pope to canonize three more saints on May 15

A Dutch priest and two nuns from France and Italy are among ten new saints that Pope Francis will canonize on May 15, 2022, in the Vatican.

03/05/2021

Pope: Blessed Devasahayam, six others to be named saints

At a Consistory on Monday, Pope Francis confirms the vote of the Cardinals to proceed with the canonization of seven Blesseds, with the date of the forthcoming canonizations to be ...

26/04/2021

Pope announces Consistory for vote on Canonizations

Cardinals will vote on proceeding with the canonizations of seven Blesseds, including those of Blessed Charles de Foucauld and of the first Indian layperson to be elevated to that ...

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20/02/2021

Twenty years ago: Jorge Mario Bergoglio is created cardinal

Twenty years ago, on 21 February 2001, Pope Saint John Paul II created forty-four new Cardinals – including the then - Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Looking ...

01/12/2020

Cardinal Grech: In encountering each person we come closer to Jesus

Cardinal Mario Grech describes the latest consistory and speaks of how Pope Francis’ most recent words have resonated with him

29/11/2020

Pope at Mass: ‘Faith is a love story for people in love!”

Pope Francis and the new Cardinals created during Saturday’s Consistory concelebrate Mass on the First Sunday of Advent inviting the faithful to get close to the Lord and to serve ...

28/11/2020

The Pope and the new Cardinals visit Benedict XVI

Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, greeted and blessed the 13 new Cardinals whom he met in the chapel of the “Mater Ecclesiae” monastery in the Vatican after the consistory.

28/11/2020

Cardinal Gregory’s vision: protect, care for and strengthen the flock

On Saturday afternoon, Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington DC became Cardinal Wilton Gregory. At that moment, he also became the first African-American Cardinal.

28/11/2020

Pope urges new cardinals to stay on the Lord’s road

Pope Francis urged new cardinals he created on Saturday not to stray away from “journeying on God’s road”. The red colour of the cardinals’ attire, which symbolizes blood, he ...

28/11/2020

The Church’s new cardinals – who’s who?

Who are the 13 new cardinals from around the world created by Pope Francis at the consistory of Nov. 28 in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican? They hail from 8 nations of Africa, ...

27/11/2020

All things consistory: linguistic origin....

Have you ever wondered what the word “consistory” means? Or where the word “cardinal” comes from?

27/11/2020

Cardinals-designate gear up for unusual Consistory

As 13 men prepare to become Cardinals on Saturday, Covid-19 restrictions promise to make the event slightly unusual, though not unprecedented.

24/11/2020

28 November: an unprecedented Consistory in times of Covid-19

The Vatican confirms that two Cardinals-designate will not be present in Rome on Saturday to receive their red hats from Pope Francis.

02/11/2020

Cardinal-designate Grech: in service of the synodality of the Church

Following Pope Francis’ announcement of 13 new Cardinals on 25 October, Cardinal-designate Bishop Mario Grech speaks to Vatican News on his new role and hopes to contribute to ...

31/10/2020

Brunei Bishop thanks Pope for “choosing someone from the peripheries"

Bishop Cornelius Sim, the Apostolic Vicar of Brunei, is among the 13 new cardinals Pope Francis announced on October 25. He will make them cardinals at a consistory in the Vatican ...

31/10/2020

Cardinal-elect Gregory: a pastor shaped by a “wonderful legacy of faith"

Washington DC's Archbishop speaks about how he heard about his appointment as a Cardinal and about the "wonderful legacy of faith" that has shaped him as a Catholic of ...

27/10/2020

Cardinal-elect Cantalamessa: appointment ‘recognition of Word of God’

Following Pope Francis’ announcement of his intention to create Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa a Cardinal, the Italian Capuchin priest says his new role will be an opportunity to help ...

27/10/2020

Cardinal-designate Advincula: Pope wants Church to tend to “peripheries”

In an interview with Vatican News, Filipino Cardinal-designate Jose Advincula of Capiz explains why he thinks Pope Francis chose him to be a Cardinal.

25/10/2020

New Cardinal-elects express surprise and gratitude

Reaction from the clerics Pope Francis has chosen to collaborate with him as Cardinals is beginning to come in. As Vatican News becomes aware of their reactions, we will continue ...

25/10/2020

New Cardinals come from all corners of the earth

They come from Africa, Asia (Brunei and the Philippines), North and South America and Italy. In addition, there is a particular accent on the sons of St Francis during the year in ...

25/10/2020

Pope announces a consistory for the creation of 13 new cardinals

On 28 November, there will be 13 new additions to the College of Cardinals: 9 are under 80 years of age, among them is the Guardian of Sacro Convento in Assisi, Father Mauro ...

05/10/2019

Consistory: Titular and Diaconal churches of the new Cardinals

Here is the list of titular and diaconal churches assigned to the new Cardinals during the Ordinary Public Consistory celebrated by Pope Francis on Saturday:

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05/10/2019

Pope to new Cardinals: Witness to Christ with compassion

Pope Francis creates 13 new Cardinals during an Ordinary Public Consistory in St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday afternoon, and reflects on the importance of being aware of God’s ...

05/10/2019

An introduction to the newest Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church

A brief guide to the new Cardinals created by Pope Francis on 5 October 2019:

05/10/2019

13 new Cardinals express the “missionary vocation of the Church”

Saturday afternoon’s Consistory brings together new cardinals from places that express the Church’s missionary outreach and universal character.

16/09/2019

Fr Michael Czerny, SJ: a new Cardinal for the peripheries

One of those who will receive the red hat on 5 October, is Jesuit priest Fr Michael Czerny. He speaks of his reaction when he heard Pope Francis had chosen to name him a Cardinal, ...

02/09/2019

Cardinal-elect Besungu: recognition of their work to give voice to the suffering people

Archbishop Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is among the 13 cardinals that Pope Francis announced on Sunday, 1 September. ...

02/09/2019

Cardinal-elect Czerny: new mission, new service, great honour

Among the 13 new cardinals that Pope Francis announced on Sunday, 1 September, is Jesuit priest Father Michael Czerny, the Under-Secretary of the Migrants and Refugees Section of ...

02/09/2019

Cardinal-elect Ayuso: will give my life to the Church to promote inter-religious dialogue

Spanish Bishop Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, the President of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, will be among 13 new cardinals that Pope Francis will ...

02/09/2019

Cardinal-elect Hollerich promises to live his mission with humility

Archbishop Höllerich, SJ, Archbishop of Luxembourg, is one of the 13 men chosen by Pope Francis to receive a red hat during the Consistory of 5 October.

01/09/2019

Cardinals from the peripheries for dialogue and for mission

The new consistory announced by Pope Francis continues the policy of including Bishops from mission territories in the Church within the College of Cardinals

01/09/2019

Pope announces 13 new Cardinals for the missionary Church

At the Angelus Pope Francis reads the names of those prelates who will receive the red hat on October 5th, the vigil of the Amazon Synod.

01/07/2019

Pope to canonize Newman and four others on 13 October

The Vatican announces the date of the canonization of Blessed John Henry Newman along with four others on the third Sunday of October 2019.

27/06/2019

Card. Newman, Sister Thresia of India and 3 others soon to be saints

Pope Francis is holding an Ordinary Public Consistory on July 1 to vote on the canonization of five Blesseds.

02/03/2019

80th Anniversary of the Election of Pius XII

Pius XII was elected to the See of Peter on his birthday, 2 March 1939. A tireless peacemaker, he faced the horrors of the Second World War, bringing the light of Christ to a ...