New cardinals from 17 nations called to build church unity

Dec 21, 2024

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals in St Peter’s Basilica December 7, urging them to resist the “seduction of power” and instead follow “the path of Jesus.”

“In spiritual life as in pastoral life, we risk focusing on what is incidental and forgetting what is essential,” the pope cautioned. “Too often, secondary things replace what is necessary, external appearances overshadow what truly counts.”

“We should constantly be returning to the centre, to what is basic, and divest ourselves of all that is superfluous, in order to clothe ourselves in Christ.”

The Pope highlighted that the term “cardinal” symbolises a “hinge,” emphasising their vital role in holding the Church together.

The new cardinals include Archbishop Frank Leo of Toronto; Archbishop Dominique Joseph Mathieu of Tehran-Isfahan, Iran; and Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo, reflecting Pope Francis’ emphasis on the Church’s global mission.

Ten of the new cardinals belong to religious orders, including Dominicans, Franciscans, and the Society of the Divine Word — a notable proportion from consecrated life.

Cardinals assigned titular churches in Rome
As tradition dictates, each new cardinal received a titular church in Rome, symbolising their connection to the Diocese of Rome and the pope’s pastoral ministry.

Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas of Lithuania was assigned the deaconry of Sant’Eustachio, a historically significant minor basilica near the Pantheon in Rome’s historic center, while Dominican Fr Timothy Radcliffe was given the deaconry of SS. Nomi di Gesù e Maria in via Lata, located on the Via del Corso, part of one of Rome’s most fashionable districts.

With these appointments, the College of Cardinals now includes 140 members eligible to vote in a future conclave. Of these, 110 — or 79 per cent — were appointed by Pope Francis.

Synodality and fraternity
Cardinal Angelo Acerbi, speaking on behalf of the new cardinals, reflected on the Synod on Synodality and Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, Dilexit Nos.

“We are united today by profound gratitude toward the supreme pontiff and by a sincere desire to serve in ecclesial unity,” he said.

The 99-year-old cardinal described the Pope’s recent encyclical — which explores the human and divine love of the Sacred Heart of Christ — as an inspiration for the pastoral missions entrusted to the new cardinals.

On Sunday, the new cardinals concelebrated Mass with Pope Francis in St Peter’s Basilica for the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, marking their first liturgical act as members of the College of Cardinals.

The liturgy emphasised Mary’s purity and dedication, reflecting the themes of humility and service woven throughout the consistory. --CNA