Pope Francis speaks to a large crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square on Sunday. Getty Images
Pope Francis has announced the appointment of 21 new cardinals, furthering his goal of reshaping the body that will elect his successor. The 87-year-old pope made this unexpected announcement during remarks concerning the escalating conflict in the Middle East, while also acknowledging the anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel.
Among the newly named cardinals is Dominique Mathieu, the Archbishop of Tehran. This selection, notably a Belgian missionary in Iran, reflects Pope Francis’ commitment to promoting dialogue between religions and advocating for peace in the Middle East. In his remarks, he urged the global community to halt cycles of revenge and prevent further violent actions, especially following recent attacks that could exacerbate tensions in the region.
“I appeal to the international community to end the spiral of revenge and not to repeat attacks, like the one carried out by Iran a few days ago, which can plunge that region into an even bigger war,” the pope stated. He emphasized that all nations deserve to exist in peace and security, and called for respect for sovereignty, advocating for dialogue and peace rather than hatred and conflict.
In a move that marks a significant shift, the pope also selected Mykola Bychok, a Ukrainian bishop based in Australia, who at 44 will be the youngest cardinal. Bychok serves the Ukrainian Greek Catholic community across Oceania and his appointment signifies a further outreach to support the needs of those affected by current global crises.
Pope Francis has made it a priority during his papacy to transform the composition of the cardinals who will participate in the conclave that selects a new pope. He has moved away from traditional practices that favoured certain dioceses, particularly in Italy, and has instead elevated bishops from diverse regions around the world. This approach aims to create a more representative body that mirrors the global nature of the Catholic Church. Alongside Mathieu and Bychok, new cardinals also hail from Indonesia, Algeria, Japan, and the Ivory Coast. The formal installation of the new cardinals will take place on December 8, which will include Frank Leo, the Archbishop of Toronto, and British theologian Timothy Radcliffe.
Currently, there are 122 cardinals under the age of 80 who can vote in papal elections, exceeding the church law limit of 120. Previous popes have also appointed more than the prescribed number, so this expansion is not unprecedented. Cardinals play a crucial role in the church hierarchy, serving as the pope’s key advisers and holding significant positions within the Vatican.
Pope Francis has continually encouraged cardinals to embrace their roles as servants rather than seeing themselves as “princes.” The red scarlet robes they wear symbolize their readiness to sacrifice for their faith.
In his address, the pope reiterated his concern for the worsening conditions in the Middle East, particularly for the Palestinian population suffering from ongoing military actions. He urged for the “immediate release” of hostages in Gaza and called for a ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon, emphasizing the urgent need for peace in a region marked by prolonged conflict.
