Pope Francis announced during the Angelus on Sunday, Oct. 6, that he will create 21 new cardinals, including the archbishops of Tehran, Tokyo and Toronto, in a consistory on Dec. 8.

Announcement of new cardinals reflects universality of Church

“I am pleased to announce,” he said, “that on December 8 I will hold a consistory for the appointment of new cardinals. Their origin reflects the universality of the Church, which continues to proclaim God’s merciful love to all people.” The announcement was made by the 87-year-old pope from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square after the Angelus prayer on Oct. 6.

A focus on global representation in the College of Cardinals

The newly appointed cardinals highlight the pope’s focus on global peripheries, with appointments coming from countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Iran, Japan, Ivory Coast, Algeria and Serbia. Notoriously, apart from a few Italians, only two new cardinals-Dominican preacher Timothy Radcliffe, former master general of the Dominican order, and Archbishop Francis Leo of Toronto-come from the West. This underscores Francis’ commitment to transforming the Church’s leadership from primarily Western to more global.

The College of Cardinals after the December consistory

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has created 142 cardinals from 70 countries in nine consistories. The last one was held on Sept. 30, 2023. Fifteen members of the College of Cardinals have turned 80 since the last consistory, losing their right to vote in a future papal election. After the December consistory, the College of Cardinals will have 141 electors, 111 of whom-79 percent-were appointed by Pope Francis, barring unforeseen deaths.