Pope picks new cardinals, putting his stamp on Church's future
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 / 6:50 AM / UPDATED 3 HOURS AGO
Pope picks new cardinals, putting his stamp on Church's future
Philip Pullella
3 MIN READ
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis appointed 13 new cardinals in a surprise move on Sunday, again putting his stamp on the future of a Church he wants to be more open as most of those named are considered progressive on social issues.
Ten of them are under the age of 80 and may one day be called to elect Francis successor, increasing the possibility that the next pope will continue his policies.
The new group, which includes bishops and archbishops from Cuba, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia and Guatemala, will be installed at a ceremony known as a consistory on Oct. 5.
The 10 who are under 80 years old and thus eligible to vote in an eventual conclave after Francis, 82, dies or retires, are known as cardinal electors. The other three were given the honour for their long service to the Church.
Francis, who made the announcement at his weekly Sunday address, has now chosen about 70 of the nearly 130 electors. The others were chosen by previous popes. The address was delayed by 10 minutes because Francis was stuck in a Vatican elevator and had to be rescued by fire fighters.
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