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

By Sr. Nina Benedikta Krapić, VMZ

Prior to the consistory for the appointment of 21 new cardinals to be held on 30 September 30, the cardinals-elect met with the press at the Holy See Press Office.

Cardinals from around the world expressed their surprise at the appointments made by Pope Francis. We spoke with newly elected Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, bishop of Hong Kong.

"Pope Francis has a nickname, the Pope of surprises," he said and explained how he received the news of his election.

“I was not told. I got the news from some friends in Rome. I was having dinner with my family. And I said, did you send the wrong person? They said, no, it's not wrong, check the Angelus. I was really surprised”, said Chow Sau-yan.

Different representatives matter

Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan stresses the importance of the many different places the cardinals come from, including his voice from Hong Kong, which is joining that of the College of Cardinals.

“The important thing is to have more diverse voices, like you have the cardinal (Giorgio Marengo), from Mongolia, even though he's Italian, but he speaks for the Mongolian Church. I think the Church is getting richer with different voices”, Chow Sau-yan says.

Hong Kong is building bridges

The new cardinal recognizes the role of the Church in Hong Kong as a bridging church.

“I think this is an important role. Even Hong Kong itself in history is a bridge between East and West. And so is the church, between the church in China and the universal Church. And we would like to see that come closer”, says Chow Sau-yan.

The new cardinal shared his joy at the arrival of two more bishops from China at the Synod, which he credits as a good sign for the Church in China and its relationship with the universal Church. 

The Consistory on 30 September

Pope Francis will celebrate a consistory for the creation of 21 new cardinals from around the world. It will be held at the Vatican on 30 September 2023.

"The insertion of the new Cardinals in the Diocese of Rome, manifests the inseparable bond between the See of Peter and the local Churches spread throughout the world”, the Holy Father said and added “where they come from expresses the universality of the Church, which continues to proclaim the merciful love of God to all people of the earth."