Francis appoints cardinals to elite ‘elector’ group

Pope Francis yesterday named 20 new cardinals from around the world to the elite group at the top of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, including 15 who can enter a conclave to choose his successor after his death or resignation.

It is the second time Francis, 78, has put his stamp on the direction he wants the 1.2bn-member Church to move in, having named 19 cardinals a year ago.

The new “princes” of the Church will be installed at a ceremony known as a consistory at the Vatican on February 14. The 15 new “cardinal electors” — those aged under 80 — come from Italy, France, Portugal, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Mexico, Myanmar, Thailand, Uruguay, Spain, Panama, Cape Verde, and Tonga. Nine of them come from countries in the developing world.

It is the first time cardinals from Burma, Tonga and Cape Verde have been appointed, a Vatican spokesman said, reflecting Francis’ desire for the College of Cardinals to represent the universal nature of the Church.

Spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said the Pope “does not feel chained to the tradition” that major cities should automatically have cardinals to lead them.

Only one of the 15 cardinal electors is from the Curia, the Vatican’s central administration. The five new cardinals over 80 will not be allowed to enter a conclave. They were given the title to thank them for service to the Church.

Francis bent a Church rule that puts a cap of 120 on the number of cardinal electors, bringing the total of those aged under 80 to 125.