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.