Skip to content

Vatican shares Pope Francis’ schedule for December consistory to create cardinals

The Vatican on Saturday published the schedule for Pope Francis’ consistory to create new cardinals, stating that the liturgy will take place on Dec. 7 — not Dec. 8, as previously announced.

The Vatican on Saturday published the schedule for Pope Francis’ consistory to create new cardinals, stating that the liturgy will take place on Dec. 7 — not Dec. 8, as previously announced.

Francis said Oct. 6 he will add 21 members to the College of Cardinals — 20 of whom are eligible to be cardinal-electors. The future cardinals come from every continent.

According to the liturgical schedule released by the Vatican’s master of ceremonies Oct. 12, the ceremony to create the new cardinals will be held in the afternoon on Dec. 7 in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The following day, on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, Francis and the entire College of Cardinals will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving together in the Vatican basilica.

While the pope typically goes to venerate a statue of the Virgin Mary close to the Spanish Steps early in the morning on the solemnity, this year he will visit the statue at 4 p.m. instead.

On Oct. 12, Pope Francis addressed the cardinals-designate in a short letter in which he called them each to be more of a “servant” than an “eminence.” He advised them to pray often, to love everyone, and to have mercy on the suffering.

The Vatican also published Saturday the dates of three other papal Masses to take place in St. Peter’s Basilica in November and early December.

On Nov. 17, the pope will preside at a Mass for the World Day of the Poor, and on Nov. 24, the solemnity of Christ the King, he will join a Mass also marking the World Day of Youth.

For the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12, Pope Francis will preside at a Mass in Spanish.

The Masses with Pope Francis are open to the public with the advance reservation of free tickets through the Prefecture of the Papal Household.

This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency. 

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

I agree that EWTN will keep me informed about news, faith stories and how to best support their work. You will never receive e-mails from us that you do not want to receive. You can unsubscribe any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.

More news related to this article

The Holy Lance of St. Longinus: A Lenten Tradition at St. Peter’s Basilica

A unique rite takes place in St. Peter’s Basilica on the Saturday of the First Week of Lent: the exposition of the Holy Lance of St. Longinus.

Pope Francis assigns U.S. cardinal to carry out ‘urgent’ overhaul of Vatican pension fund

Pope Francis has appointed U.S. Cardinal Kevin Farrell to oversee “new and unavoidable” reform to the Vatican’s pension system as it faces a “serious prospective imbalance” that means changes can no longer be postponed.
Pope Leo XIV addresses diplomats in Algiers, Algeria, on April 13, 2026. | Credit: Marco Mancini/EWTN News

Pope Leo XIV in Algeria: ‘I am here among you as a pilgrim of peace’

The pontiff called for a world order that does not exclude the vulnerable and urged leaders to serve

EWTN to air conference on Pope Benedict XVI one year after his death

One year after the death of Pope Benedict XVI, scholars, experts, and friends of the late pontiff will
Pope Leo XIV greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Castel Gandolfo on July 9, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV speaks with Zelenskyy about humanitarian ceasefire in Ukraine

The pontiff raised the humanitarian crisis in the Kherson region and reiterated the Holy See’s commitment to dialogue

St. Pius V, safeguard of the faith

Every April 30th, we honor Pope Saint Pius V, a 16th-century leader who defended the Church and Christian Europe. Elected prior four times for his holiness and wisdom, he was a true Defender of Faith and a reformist Pontiff.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com