A cardinal holds his biretta as Pope Francis celebrates Mass with new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in this Nov. 29, 2020, file photo. (CNS photo/Gregorio Borgia, Reuters pool)
Vatican City, Jul 9, 2023 / 05:15 am (CNA).
Pope Francis said on Sunday that he will create 21 new cardinals, including the Vatican’s recently appointed doctrinal chief Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández, at a consistory on Sept. 30.
The 86-year-old pope made the announcement from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square after reciting the Angelus prayer on July 9.
This is the full list:
Archbishop Robert Francis Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy (United States)
Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (Argentina)
Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the U.S. (France)
Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem (Italy)
Archbishop Emil Paul Tscherrig, Apostolic Nuncio to Italy (Switzerland)
Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-yan, S.J., Bishop of Hong Kong (China)
Archbishop José Cobo Cano, Archbishop of Madrid (Spain)
Archbishop Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Cape Town (South Africa)
Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches (Italy)
Archbishop Ángel Sixto Rossi, Archbishop of Córdoba (Argentina)
Archbishop Luis Rueda Aparicio, Archbishop of Bogotá (Colombia)
Archbishop Grzegorz Ryś, Archbishop of Lodz (Poland)
Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, Archbishop of Juba (South Sudan)
Archbishop Protase Rugambwa, Coadjutor Archbishop of Tabora (Tanzania)
Bishop Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang (Malaysia)
Bishop François-Xavier Bustillo, Bishop of Ajaccio (France)
Bishop Américo Emanuel Alves Aguiar, Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon (Portugal)
Father Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesian Order (Spain)
Archbishop Diego Rafael Padrón Sánchez, Archbishop Emeritus of Cumanà (Venezuela)
Father Luis Pascual Dri, OFM Cap., Confessor at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has created 121 cardinals from 66 countries at eight consistories.
The last consistory to create new cardinals took place on Aug. 27, 2022. The new cardinals included Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego and Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Ten members of the College of Cardinals have turned 80 since the last consistory, thus losing their chance to participate in a future papal election. Seven more cardinals will turn 80 before the end of the year, including Cardinal Angelo Camastri and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri.
Immediately following the 2020 consistory, Pope Francis had appointed 83 of the members of the College of Cardinals eligible to vote in a future conclave. Benedict XVI had named 38 of the cardinal electors and John Paul II had appointed 11.
Ahead of the upcoming consistory, there are currently 121 cardinal electors, 81 (67%) of whom have been appointed by Pope Francis.
If you value the news and views Catholic World Report provides, please consider donating to support our efforts. Your contribution will help us continue to make CWR available to all readers worldwide for free, without a subscription. Thank you for your generosity!
Click here for more information on donating to CWR. Click here to sign up for our newsletter.
Washington D.C., Apr 27, 2023 / 14:20 pm (CNA).
The United States Catholic bishops are urging Congress to prioritize programs that feed needy families, support small-family farmers, and fund rural development in the 2023 Farm Bi… […]
Vatican City, Feb 25, 2021 / 06:37 pm (CNA).- When Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako turns 80 on Feb. 27, the cardinals eligible to vote in a conclave will drop to 127, seven more than the limit of 120 set by Paul VI and confirmed by John Paul II.In 2021, f… […]
When Pope Pius IX declared the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary on December 8, 1854, he had a golden crown added to the mosaic of Mary, Virgin Immaculate, in the Chapel of the Choir in St. Peter’s Basilica. / Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Vatican City, May 29, 2023 / 10:30 am (CNA).
To honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Vatican offers a special Marian pilgrimage within St. Peter’s Basilica each Saturday afternoon during the month of May.
The Marian itinerary brings pilgrims from Michelangelo’s marble sculpture of the Pieta to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a 12th-century painting brought into the basilica in 1578 in a solemn procession.
For those unable to travel to the Eternal City, CNA is providing the following “virtual tour” with photos by Daniel Ibañez of eight beautiful images of Our Lady in St. Peter’s Basilica for the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church.
In St. Peter’s Basilica’s Chapel of the Choir, a large mosaic based on painting by Italian artist Pietro Bianchi depicts Mary, Virgin Immaculate, in the glory of heaven being venerated by St. John Chrysostom (left) and other saints. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Virgin Immaculate
In the basilica’s Chapel of the Choir, a large altarpiece reveals Mary, Virgin Immaculate, in the glory of heaven above angels and saints. The mosaic based on an 18th-century painting by Italian artist Pietro Bianchi depicts St. John Chrysostom St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Anthony of Padua venerating the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The chapel is located on the left side of the basilica behind an iron gate designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. St. John Chrysostom is buried beneath the altar, which also contains relics of St. Francis and St. Anthony.
When Pope Pius IX declared the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary on December 8, 1854, he had a golden crown added to the mosaic of Mary. Pope Pius X later added a larger diamond crown to mark the 50th anniversary of the declaration in 1904.
The original painting by Bianchi can be found in Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
Mother of the Church
St. Peter’s Basilica contains an icon of the Virgin Mary titled “Mater Ecclesiae,” which means “Mother of the Church.”. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
The basilica contains an icon of the Virgin Mary titled “Mater Ecclesiae,” which means “Mother of the Church.”
The original image of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child was painted on a column in old St. Peter’s Basilica, built by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century. It was later transferred to the 16th-century St. Peter’s Basilica. Paul VI honored the icon with the title “Mater Ecclesiae” after the Second Vatican Council.
A mosaic of the Virgin Mary overlooking St. Peter’s Square was inspired by the original Mater Ecclesiae image. The mosaic was installed after the assassination attempt against St. John Paul II in 1981.
When he blessed the mosaic, John Paul II prayed “that all those who will come to this St. Peter’s Square will lift up their gaze towards you [Mary], to direct, with feelings of filial trust, their greetings and their prayers.”
In 2018, Pope Francis added the memorial of “Mary, Mother of the Church” to the liturgical calendar for the Monday after Pentecost.
Mother of Pilgrims
A restored 16th-century painting of Our Lady holding her Son can be found in St. Peter’s Basilica above the sarcophagus of Pope Gregory XIV under the title “Mother of Pilgrims.”. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
A restored 16th-century painting of Our Lady holding her son can be found in St. Peter’s Basilica above the sarcophagus of Pope Gregory XIV.
The image is titled “Mater Peregrinorum” or Mother of Pilgrims. The original artist is not known, but Italians also refer to the painting as the “Madonna di Scossacavalli” because it came from Rome’s Church of San Giacomo Scossacavalli, which was demolished in 1937 to create the current Via della Conciliazione leading to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
A 12th-century painting on wood titled Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the Gregorian Chapel of St. Peter’s Basilica. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
A 12th-century painting on wood titled Our Lady of Perpetual Help, also known as Our Lady of Succor, was transferred to an altar in St. Peter’s Gregorian Chapel on February 12, 1578 with a solemn procession.
The painting was the first artistic restoration completed under Pope Francis’ pontificate during the Year of Faith, according to a book published by the Knights of Columbus.
The remains of the Doctor of the Church St. Gregory of Nazianzus (d. 390) are preserved in an urn beneath the Altar of Our Lady of Succor in the Gregorian Chapel, found on the right side of the basilica.
Ark of the Covenant
A mosaic altarpiece of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple can be found above the tomb of Pope St. Pius X near the left-front entrance of the basilica. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
A colorful mosaic altarpiece of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple brightens the wall above the tomb of Pope St. Pius X (d. 1914) in the Presentation Chapel near the left-front entrance of the basilica.
A young Mary is depicted on the steps of the Temple with her parents, Sts. Anne and Joachim, the grandparents of Jesus.
The mosaic completed by Pietro Paolo Cristofari in 1728 is based on a painting by 17th-century artist Giovanni Francesco Romaneli, the original of which can be found in Rome’s Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
Gate of Heaven
According to Father Agnello Stoia, the pastor of the parish of St. Peter’s Basilica, the 15th-century image of Mary on the oldest door of St. Peter’s Basilica is a reminder of Mary’s title, “Gate of Heaven.”. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
The central door leading to basilica was retained from the old St. Peter’s Basilica and is known as the Filarete Door. Created by a Florentine artist in 1455, the door depicts Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the apostles Sts. Peter and Paul.
According to Father Agnello Stoia, the pastor of the parish of St. Peter’s Basilica, the 15th-century image of Mary on the door is a reminder of Mary’s title, “Gate of Heaven.”
Queen Assumed into Heaven
The mosaics decorating the interior dome of St. Peter’s Basilica depict the Blessed Virgin Mary next to Christ the Redeemer and the Apostles. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Looking up at the soaring cupola, or dome, of St. Peter’s Basilica, one sees mosaics depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary next to Christ the Redeemer, along with St. John the Baptist and the apostles.
The mosaic of the Virgin Mary on the Great Dome, completed in 1610 by Orazio Gentileschi, is based on drawings by Italian Mannerist painter Giuseppe Cesari.
Mother of the Redeemer
Michelangelo’s Pieta conveys the faith and emotion of the Blessed Virgin Mary as she cradles in her arms the dead body of her only son after witnessing him crucified. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Michelangelo Buonarroti carved the Pieta from a single slab of Carrara marble when he was 24-years old. The sculpture was unveiled in St. Peter’s Basilica for the Jubilee of 1500.
The moving sculpture conveys the faith and emotion of the Blessed Virgin Mary as she cradles in her arms the dead body of her only son after witnessing him crucified.
The sculpture sits above a side-altar near the front entrance of St. Peter’s Basilica, where Mass was sometimes offered before recent restrictions. Visitors to the basilica can only see the Pieta behind bulletproof glass after a man attacked the sculpture with a hammer in May 1972.
The Pieta was the only work of art that Michelangelo ever signed.
Yah, soon we will have Cardinal Fernandez. Perhaps the next Pope Francis II? Then Tucho can heal us all with his poetry! This will develop our understanding of the kiss of peace. What an Amoris it is to synodal.
I’m sad and angry my favorites among the “anti-Pope Francis Catholics” are not included here: San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, and “America’s Bishop” Joseph Strickland.
The spasmodic appointments of the last week are like watching the death throes of some baby boomer ideology. It is as if we are witnessing Arius burst a gut in the streets of Constantinople. It is asi if an old man is screaming at the end: I’ll make this permanent!”. “All will know that 2+2=5!” “I am the god of gravity; it’s laws are suspended; we are all now free to jump off buildings.” Yada yada yada. What a bother. It puts me in such a theological bad mood.
Speaking of permanency. Francis’ attempt to make a church in his image and likeness reminds me of Peter wanting to erect tents at the Transfiguration. Remember what happened after Peter impetuously spoke such ridiculous words? God spoke from the cloud: “Listen to Him!” (Jesus).
God the Father, the Son and their Spirit will have the final word…as to what becomes Francis’ legacy. In that we may rest assured.
Here’s what I think is a relevant standard by which to judge any cleric – but especially bishops and that includes the one in charge of the Rome diocese. The mission of the Church is the salvation of souls carried out by the evangelization of peoples. A rating of A+ should be assigned to a cleric who is so effective in proclaiming the Gospel that the culture is converted – including its values, morals and lifestyle such that they reflect those of Christ. An “F” is assigned to those clerics who, rather than converting the culture by their teaching, preaching and orthopraxis are instead converted by the culture. Clerics who deserve an “F” reflect in their preaching, teaching and witness the values and morals of a secular, atheistic culture.
Now, I invite Catholics to rate those prelates who have been invited to participate in this Sinod on Synodidolotry – especially the recently-named cardinals.
The new and unscheduled cardinal appointments might be more about stacking a future conclave than about the two synods (2023, 2024). It might be that there’s more anxiety than we know—and that the momentum behind the dark side in the two synods is vulnerable to the real Holy Spirit.
After all, it was probably momentum more than sober consensus that led to the so-called “Trinity” nuclear bomb test at Alamogordo, New Mexico, and that cratered two cities within three days (!) in 1945 Japan.
Is the perennial Catholic Church to be cratered by the momentum of two synods? In 1945, the long-term and warned result was a half century nuclear arms race with all the chips on the table. Likewise, with the momentum of “walking together,” as if the momentum of ersatz and backside religion can really dispose of the perennial Catholic Church and the natural law. And, as if we can simply edit away the fact that “philosophy always buries its undertakers” (Etienne Gilson, a lay theologian!).
About which, the Second Vatican Council: “The Christian dispensation, therefore, as the new and definitive covenant, will never pass away, and we now await no further new public revelation [!] before the glorious manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ (cf 1 Tim 6:14, Tit. 2:13)” (Dei Verbum, n. 4).
And, about the welcomed (!) wedding guest who then showed up without a wedding gown, see Matt 22:13.
Just in case the Holy Spirit can’t hear the “listening” church well enough, it’s best to make sure that the next enclave is in the bag for the “progressives”, eh? There’s a 67% chance that the next pope will carry on the current pope’s “legacy”. But wait. There’s more! You, too, can show your support for the current pontiff! Get thee to a Latin Mass Community or Chapel. Stay there. Enjoy Catholicism while you still can. O, and don’t bother calling this “pope” the Vicar of Christ, and don’t dare kiss his ring, unless you wish to unleash his wrath. Come, Lord Jesus!
I also have named a number of Bergoglio’s new appointees. And the names I have given them are both amusing and descriptive, especially the one for Archbishop Fernandez.
(Yes, it absolutely does reference his best known work on theology, ‘Heal Me With Your Mouth: The Art of Kissing’.)
Unfortunately, in light of the standards enunciated by CWR governing comments by readers — specifically, “comments containing obscene language or personal attacks, or those that are deemed by the editors to be needlessly combative or inflammatory, will not be published” — I will not be able to share those amusing names here.
Except for the fact that Trump was NEVER invited to meet with the Pope; meanwhile, Obama/Clinton/Pelosi/Biden/Kerry all have. Let’s keep the LEFTIST pro-paganda OUT of the religion section in the news, shall we?
Mongolia has a cardinal with less than 5 thousand Catholics, Australia has over 5 million Catholics and no cardinal. I guess Archbishop Fisher of Sydney is too orthodox for the Vatican.
Wishing Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández and his brand new fellow colleagues – wisdom, inspiration, strength, stamina, and divine blessings in the challenges ahead.
It’s amazing that, even with the death of Cdl. Pell, Australia is not worthy of a cardinal. If pope Francis should pass away before any further consistory, them Australia will have no vote for a new pope. but smaller places like Tonga an Papua New Guinea will.
Yah, soon we will have Cardinal Fernandez. Perhaps the next Pope Francis II? Then Tucho can heal us all with his poetry! This will develop our understanding of the kiss of peace. What an Amoris it is to synodal.
I’m sad and angry my favorites among the “anti-Pope Francis Catholics” are not included here: San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, and “America’s Bishop” Joseph Strickland.
The spasmodic appointments of the last week are like watching the death throes of some baby boomer ideology. It is as if we are witnessing Arius burst a gut in the streets of Constantinople. It is asi if an old man is screaming at the end: I’ll make this permanent!”. “All will know that 2+2=5!” “I am the god of gravity; it’s laws are suspended; we are all now free to jump off buildings.” Yada yada yada. What a bother. It puts me in such a theological bad mood.
Speaking of permanency. Francis’ attempt to make a church in his image and likeness reminds me of Peter wanting to erect tents at the Transfiguration. Remember what happened after Peter impetuously spoke such ridiculous words? God spoke from the cloud: “Listen to Him!” (Jesus).
God the Father, the Son and their Spirit will have the final word…as to what becomes Francis’ legacy. In that we may rest assured.
Here’s what I think is a relevant standard by which to judge any cleric – but especially bishops and that includes the one in charge of the Rome diocese. The mission of the Church is the salvation of souls carried out by the evangelization of peoples. A rating of A+ should be assigned to a cleric who is so effective in proclaiming the Gospel that the culture is converted – including its values, morals and lifestyle such that they reflect those of Christ. An “F” is assigned to those clerics who, rather than converting the culture by their teaching, preaching and orthopraxis are instead converted by the culture. Clerics who deserve an “F” reflect in their preaching, teaching and witness the values and morals of a secular, atheistic culture.
Now, I invite Catholics to rate those prelates who have been invited to participate in this Sinod on Synodidolotry – especially the recently-named cardinals.
The new and unscheduled cardinal appointments might be more about stacking a future conclave than about the two synods (2023, 2024). It might be that there’s more anxiety than we know—and that the momentum behind the dark side in the two synods is vulnerable to the real Holy Spirit.
After all, it was probably momentum more than sober consensus that led to the so-called “Trinity” nuclear bomb test at Alamogordo, New Mexico, and that cratered two cities within three days (!) in 1945 Japan.
Is the perennial Catholic Church to be cratered by the momentum of two synods? In 1945, the long-term and warned result was a half century nuclear arms race with all the chips on the table. Likewise, with the momentum of “walking together,” as if the momentum of ersatz and backside religion can really dispose of the perennial Catholic Church and the natural law. And, as if we can simply edit away the fact that “philosophy always buries its undertakers” (Etienne Gilson, a lay theologian!).
About which, the Second Vatican Council: “The Christian dispensation, therefore, as the new and definitive covenant, will never pass away, and we now await no further new public revelation [!] before the glorious manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ (cf 1 Tim 6:14, Tit. 2:13)” (Dei Verbum, n. 4).
And, about the welcomed (!) wedding guest who then showed up without a wedding gown, see Matt 22:13.
Just in case the Holy Spirit can’t hear the “listening” church well enough, it’s best to make sure that the next enclave is in the bag for the “progressives”, eh? There’s a 67% chance that the next pope will carry on the current pope’s “legacy”. But wait. There’s more! You, too, can show your support for the current pontiff! Get thee to a Latin Mass Community or Chapel. Stay there. Enjoy Catholicism while you still can. O, and don’t bother calling this “pope” the Vicar of Christ, and don’t dare kiss his ring, unless you wish to unleash his wrath. Come, Lord Jesus!
I also have named a number of Bergoglio’s new appointees. And the names I have given them are both amusing and descriptive, especially the one for Archbishop Fernandez.
(Yes, it absolutely does reference his best known work on theology, ‘Heal Me With Your Mouth: The Art of Kissing’.)
Unfortunately, in light of the standards enunciated by CWR governing comments by readers — specifically, “comments containing obscene language or personal attacks, or those that are deemed by the editors to be needlessly combative or inflammatory, will not be published” — I will not be able to share those amusing names here.
Sorry.
This papacy reminds me of the Trump administration, perhaps with a pinch of Kim Jung Un.
Actually the Trump administration appointed PRO LIFE JUDGES to the Supreme Court. BTW, those judges overturned R V W
Doesn’t prove anything. Over turn and eventually turn back again.
and he actually talked to some nuns on the White House lawn
Wokester:)
Funny. This papacy reminds me more of the Biden administration.
Except for the fact that Trump was NEVER invited to meet with the Pope; meanwhile, Obama/Clinton/Pelosi/Biden/Kerry all have. Let’s keep the LEFTIST pro-paganda OUT of the religion section in the news, shall we?
It’s possible that he is throwing boomerangs.. The Holy Spirit has a sense of humor! 😂
Mongolia has a cardinal with less than 5 thousand Catholics, Australia has over 5 million Catholics and no cardinal. I guess Archbishop Fisher of Sydney is too orthodox for the Vatican.
Wishing Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández and his brand new fellow colleagues – wisdom, inspiration, strength, stamina, and divine blessings in the challenges ahead.
It’s amazing that, even with the death of Cdl. Pell, Australia is not worthy of a cardinal. If pope Francis should pass away before any further consistory, them Australia will have no vote for a new pope. but smaller places like Tonga an Papua New Guinea will.
Who stood for what in the COVID-vaccination impostures.