Pope creates 21 cardinals, many of them reformers in their own right, to carry out his reform plans
Pope Francis has installed 21 new cardinals, many of whom are key figures in his reform agenda
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Saturday installed 21 new cardinals, many of whom are key figures in his reform agenda: A Dominican preacher who acted as the spiritual father for Francis' recent gathering of bishops, a Neapolitan “street priest” like himself, and a Peruvian bishop who has strongly backed his crackdown on abuse.
Francis’ 10th consistory to create new princes of the church is also the biggest infusion of voting-age cardinals in his 11-year pontificate, further cementing his imprint on the group of men who will one day elect his successor. With Saturday's additions, Francis will have created 110 of the 140 cardinals under 80, thus eligible to vote in a conclave.
Francis appeared at the ceremony in the St. Peter’s Basilica with a significant bruise on his chin, but presided over the ritual without apparent problems.
A Vatican spokesman said later Saturday that the bruise was caused by a contusion Friday morning, when Francis hit his nightstand with his chin. The pontiff, who turns 88 later this month, appeared slightly fatigued on Saturday but carried on as normal with the scheduled ceremony.
