Pope creates 21 new cardinals to help reform church and cement his legacy

In his instructions to the new cardinals at the start of the service, Francis said their variety and geographic diversity would serve the church like musicians in an orchestra, where sometimes they play solos, sometimes as an ensemble

Pope Francis (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)

Pope Francis has created 21 new cardinals in a ceremony including key figures at the Vatican and in the field who will help enact his reforms and cement his legacy with the Catholic Church.

On a crisp sunny morning filled with cheers from St Peter’s Square, Francis expanded his influence on the College of Cardinals who will help him govern and one day elect his successor. With Saturday’s additions, nearly three-quarters of the voting-age “princes of the church” owe their red hats to the Argentine Jesuit.