Cardinals created by Francis#28 November 2020

Francis' consistories all brought the number of cardinal electors above the maximum of 120 introduced by Pope Paul VI, reaching between 121 and 140 electors, and remaining higher than 120 for over a year following the 2023 consistory. His predecessors had also exceeded the 120 limit on several occasions: Paul VI himself had increased the number of cardinal electors to 134 in 1969, before he introduced the 120 limit in 1975.{{efn|In 1971, when Paul VI instituted an age limit of 80 for cardinals to participate in electing a pope, the number of cardinal electors fell below 120 again.}} Pope John Paul II brought the number as high as 135 in 2001 and 2003, while Pope Benedict XVI's highest was 125 in 2012.

Francis' first four consistories increased the number of electors above 120 modestly for short periods: to 122 in 2014 for less than a month,{{efn|The February 2014 consistory brought the number of cardinal electors to 122,{{cite news | url = https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-uses-red-hats-offer-lesson-global-church | work = National Catholic Reporter | access-date = 9 July 2018 | date= 12 January 2014 | title = Francis uses red hats to offer lesson on global church|first= John L. | last = Allen Jr.}} but the 80th birthday of Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Phạm Minh Mẫn and the death of Cardinal José da Cruz Policarpo reduced the number to 120 in less than a month.}} to 125 in 2015 for two months,{{efn|The February 2015 consistory increased the number to 125, but the 80th birthdays of Cardinals Antonios Naguib and Justin Francis Rigali, the announcement on 20 March that Cardinal Keith O'Brien would no longer participate in a conclave,{{cite news|last1=Allen Jr.|first1=John L.|title=In rare step, Scottish prelate caught in sex scandal quits as cardinal|url=http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/03/20/in-rare-step-scottish-prelate-caught-in-sex-scandal-quits-as-cardinal/|access-date=9 July 2018|work=Crux|date=20 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710041620/https://cruxnow.com/church/2015/03/20/in-rare-step-scottish-prelate-caught-in-sex-scandal-quits-as-cardinal/|archive-date=10 July 2018}} and the deaths of Cardinals Jean-Claude Turcotte and Francis George reduced the number of cardinal electors to 120 on 19 April, just two months after the consistory.}} to 121 in 2016 for two weeks,{{efn|The November 2016 consistory resulted in 121 electors,{{cite news| title = Everything you need to know about a consistory for new cardinals| url = https://cruxnow.com/cardinals/2016/11/17/everything-need-know-consistory-new-cardinals3/| access-date = 9 July 2018| date = 17 November 2016| first = Inés| last = San Martín| work = Crux| archive-date = 10 July 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180710010641/https://cruxnow.com/cardinals/2016/11/17/everything-need-know-consistory-new-cardinals3/| url-status = dead}} which fell to 120 with the 80th birthday of Cardinal Théodore-Adrien Sarr at the end of the month.}} and to 121 in 2017 for ten weeks.{{efn|The June 2017 consistory brought the number of cardinal electors to 121,{{cite news | access-date = 21 May 2017 | date= 21 May 2017 | url = http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/pope-francis-calls-consistory-of-5-new-cardinals#.WSGTW0go_YV | work = National Catholic Register | title= Pope Francis Calls Consistory to Create 5 New Cardinals }} and it declined to 120 when Cardinal Carlo Caffarra died ten weeks later on 6 September.}}

In the June 2018 consistory, Francis again increased the number of cardinal electors to 125,{{cite web | url = http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/cardinal-stats-pope-makes-college-more-international-not-much-younger.cfm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180523005422/http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/cardinal-stats-pope-makes-college-more-international-not-much-younger.cfm | archive-date = 23 May 2018 | website =Catholic News Service | access-date = 10 July 2018 | date= 22 May 2018 | title = Cardinal stats: Pope makes college more international, not much younger|first= Cindy |last=Wooden}} and the count only fell to 120 after ten months.{{cite news | work= Rome Reports | access-date = 27 April 2019 | date= 26 April 2019 | url = https://www.romereports.com/en/2019/04/26/cardinal-stanislaw-dziwisz-john-paul-iis-former-secretary-turns-80/ | title = Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, John Paul II's former secretary, turns 80}}

The October 2019 consistory increased the number of electors to 128. The 80th birthdays of four electors reduced that number to 124 in two weeks,{{cite news | newspaper = America | access-date = 5 October 2019 | date= 5 October 2019 | url = https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/10/05/pope-francis-creates-13-new-cardinals-emphasizes-their-compassion | title = Pope Francis creates 13 new cardinals, emphasizes their 'compassion' | first = Gerard | last = O'Connell }} but almost a year passed before the number of cardinal electors fell to 120 on 29 September 2020.{{cite news |last=Romero|first=Javier|title=Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri turns 80, reducing electoral college to 120|url=https://www.romereports.com/en/2020/09/29/cardinal-lorenzo-baldisseri-turns-80-reducing-electoral-college-to-120/|access-date=15 October 2020|newspaper=Rome Reports|date=29 September 2020 | url-status= live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201002001731/https://www.romereports.com/en/2020/09/29/cardinal-lorenzo-baldisseri-turns-80-reducing-electoral-college-to-120/ | archive-date= 2 October 2020 }}

The November 2020 consistory raised the number of electors to 128 again,{{cite news | url = https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/it/2020/11/28/news/il-papa-ai-nuovi-cardinali-no-alla-corruzione-nella-chiesa-attenzione-a-non-andare-fuori-strada-1.39594882 | work = La Stampa | access-date = 29 November 2020 | date= 28 November 2020 | title = Il Papa ai nuovi cardinali: no alla corruzione nella Chiesa, attenzione a non andare "fuori strada" | first = Domenico | last= Agasso Jr. | language= it }} but their number returned to 120 a little more quickly than after the previous consistory, on 7 November 2021.{{efn|After the 2020 consistory, the number of electors exceeded 120 for 11 months and 9 days, from 28 November 2020 to 7 November 2021.{{cite news | work= La Croix | access-date = 7 November 2021 | date = 7 November 2021 | url = https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Le-cardinal-Angelo-Scola-sera-pas-electeur-prochain-conclave-2021-11-07-1201184047 | language = fr | title = Le cardinal Angelo Scola ne sera pas électeur du prochain conclave | first = Christophe | last = Henning }}}}

The August 2022 consistory raised the number of cardinal electors to 132, with the 80th birthdays of electors set to reduce that figure to 120 in little more than a year,{{efn|name=birthdays|The cardinal electors who reach their 80th birthdays following the 2022 consistory are: Gregorio Rosa Chávez on 3 September 2022, Rubén Salazar Gómez on 22 September 2022, Giuseppe Bertello on 1 October 2022, Gianfranco Ravasi on 18 October 2022, André Vingt-Trois on 7 November 2022, Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga on 29 December 2022, Angelo Bagnasco on 14 January 2023, Domenico Calcagno on 3 February 2023, Dominik Duka on 26 April 2023, Crescenzio Sepe on 2 June 2023, and Giuseppe Versaldi on 30 July 2023.}} shortened by the death of Richard Baawobr in November 2022 to 11 months.{{cite news |last=Mancini |first=Marco |date=30 July 2023 |title=Il Cardinale Versaldi compie 80 anni: 120 gli elettori in attesa del concistoro |language=it |publisher=ACI Stampa |url=https://www.acistampa.com/story/il-cardinale-versaldi-compie-80-anni-120-gli-elettori-in-attesa-del-concistoro |access-date=18 September 2023}}

The September 2023 consistory raised the number of cardinal electors to 137, a record at the time;{{Cite news |last=Pullella |first=Philip |date=30 September 2023 |title=Pope Francis cements legacy, stamps Church future with new cardinals |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-cements-legacy-stamps-church-future-with-new-cardinals-2023-09-30/ |access-date=1 October 2023 }} it offered the possibility that the number of electors would exceed 120 until Oswald Gracias turned 80 on 24 December 2024,{{cite news | access-date = 30 September 2023 | date = 30 September 2023 | work = National Catholic Reporter | url = https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/pope-encourages-new-cardinals-resemble-symphony-diverse-harmonious | first = Christopher | last = White | title = Pope encourages new cardinals to resemble a symphony: diverse, but harmonious }} but the number fell to 120 with the death of Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot on 25 November 2024.{{cite news | access-date = 7 December 2024 | date = 25 November 2024 | work = America | url = https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/11/25/cardinal-ayuso-dies-72-interreligious-dialogue-249362 | agency= OSV News | title = Cardinal Ayuso, top Vatican promoter of interreligious dialogue, dies at 72 }} After Francis created 20 electors on 7 December 2024, the number of cardinal electors was 140, a new record high. Aging alone will reduce that number to 127 by the end of 2025.{{cite news | access-date = 7 December 2024 | url = https://www.romereports.com/en/2024/12/07/these-are-the-new-cardinals-who-become-electors-in-the-event-of-a-conclave/ | work = Rome Reports | date = 7 December 2024 | title = These are the new cardinals who become electors in the event of a conclave }} Provided no elector dies, it will remain above 120 until the 80th birthday of Juan José Omella on 21 April 2026.{{cite news | work = National Catholic Reporter | access-date = 8 October 2024 | date = 8 October 2024 | title =What Francis' newest cardinal picks mean for the next pope|first=Christopher | last=White| url =https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/what-francis-newest-cardinal-picks-mean-next-pope}}

On 31 October 2013, Pope Francis announced plans to name new cardinals in a consistory on 22 February 2014.{{cite news |title=New Cardinals to be created in February 2014| work = Vatican Radio | url=http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/10/31/new_cardinals_to_be_created_in_february_2014/en1-742446|access-date=27 December 2013|date=31 October 2013}} In December 2013, he said that rumors that he might name a woman cardinal were not to be taken seriously.{{cite news|last=Allen Jr.|first=John L.|title=Francis shoots down women cardinals|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/francis-shoots-down-women-cardinals|access-date=28 December 2013|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|date=15 December 2013}} He announced the names of 19 new cardinals on 12 January 2014.{{cite news|url=http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/01/12/pope_francis_announces_names_of_new_cardinals_/en1-763352|access-date=13 January 2014|work=Vatican Radio |title=Pope Francis announces names of new Cardinals|date=12 January 2014}} Sixteen were under the age of 80, eligible to vote in papal conclaves.{{cite news|last=D'Emilio |first=Frances |title=Pope Names 19 New Cardinals, Focusing on the Poor|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/pope-names-19-cardinals-focusing-poor-21503032|access-date=12 January 2014|newspaper=ABC News|date=12 January 2014}} Observers attempting to interpret Francis' approach to naming cardinals noted the absence of certain names, including the heads of the dioceses of Venice and Turin and the Vatican Librarian and Archivist.{{cite news|last=Reese|first=Thomas|title=Cardinals: continuity and change |url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/cardinals-continuity-and-change|access-date=14 January 2014|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|date=13 January 2014}} Others noted a preference for clerics with pastoral experience and only a single theologian, Müller.{{cite news|last=Winters|first=Michael Sean|title=The New Cardinals|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/new-cardinals|access-date=14 January 2014|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|date=13 January 2014}} John L. Allen said the choices made the February meeting the "Consistory of the Periphery", noting the "broad global distribution" of the new cardinals.{{cite news|last=Allen|first=John L.|title=Four new echoes in 'Francis revolution'|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/four-new-echoes-francis-revolution|access-date=14 January 2014|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|date=13 January 2014}} Of the nomination of the archbishop of Perugia rather than those of more prestigious dioceses like Turin and Venice, La Stampa said: "Any career planners in the Church who had the path from the seminary to the cardinalship set out very clearly in their minds will have to think again."{{cite news|title=The importance of Gualtiero Bassetti's nomination|url=https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/en/2014/01/15/news/the-importance-of-gualtiero-bassetti-s-nomination-1.35935361 |access-date=9 October 2016|newspaper=Vatican Insider|publisher=La Stampa|author=|date=15 January 2014}}

Pope Francis sent a letter to each cardinal-designate that said:{{cite news|date=13 January 2014|access-date=19 October 2017|title=Francis reminds new cardinals their nomination is not about promotion it is about service |newspaper=Vatican Insider|url = http://www.lastampa.it/2014/01/13/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/francis-reminds-new-cardinals-their-nomination-is-not-a-promotion-it-is-about-service-70BsfXicsux3HT340fJJmN/pagina.html }}

{{blockquote|The cardinalship does not imply promotion; it is neither an honour nor a decoration; it is simply a service that requires you to broaden your gaze and open your hearts.... Therefore I ask you, please, to receive this designation with a simple and humble heart. And, while you must do so with pleasure and joy, ensure that this sentiment is far from any expression of worldliness or from any form of celebration contrary to the evangelical spirit of austerity, sobriety and poverty.}}

Those made cardinal at the consistory were:{{cite news |last=Galeazzi|first=Giacomo|title=19 new cardinals created in Consistory in the presence of two Popes |url=https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/en/2014/02/22/news/19-new-cardinals-created-in-consistory-in-the-presence-of-two-popes-1.35927862 |access-date=24 February 2014|newspaper=Vatican Insider|date=22 February 2014}}

{{Clear}}

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI attended the consistory. He doffed his zucchetto when Pope Francis came down the nave of St. Peter's Basilica to greet him,{{cite news|last=McElwee |first=Joshua J.|title=Under Benedict's eye, Francis tells cardinals to be peacemakers |url=http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/under-benedicts-eye-francis-tells-cardinals-be-peacemakers |access-date=24 February 2014|newspaper=National Catholic Reporter|date=22 February 2014}} and took a seat in a row with several cardinals using a chair the same as theirs.{{cite news|last=Tornielli |first=Andrea|title=The "hidden" Pope's first step towards normality|url=http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/concsitoro-2014-32277/|access-date=24 February 2014|newspaper=Vatican Insider|date=24 February 2014}} Loris Francesco Capovilla was granted a dispensation and did not attend the consistory.{{cite news|last=Tornielli |first=Andrea |title=Loris Capovilla will not receive the biretta in Rome |url=http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/capovilla-capovilla-capovilla-32188/|access-date=20 February 2014|newspaper=Vatican Insider|date=19 February 2014}}

Though a cardinal who is not an ordinary{{Mdash}}typically an official of the Roman Curia{{Mdash}}is normally assigned the rank of cardinal deacon, Parolin was made a cardinal priest, as is customary in the case of the Holy See's secretary of state.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

Prior to this consistory, there were 106 cardinals under the age of 80 and eligible to participate in the election of a pope, and the addition of 16 new cardinals under age 80 brought the total to 122, although another 10 were due to turn 80 in the remainder of 2014. Because the maximum number of cardinals allowed to participate in a papal conclave is set at 120, the number of cardinals below 80 is usually limited to 120, although that limit has occasionally been exceeded.{{cite news|last=Tornielli|first=Andrea|title=Francis' first consistory |url=http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/concistoro-concistorio-consistory-francesco-francisco-francis-28788/|access-date=28 December 2013 |newspaper=Vatican Insider|date=20 October 2013}} The appointments brought the total number of cardinals to 218.{{efn|207 cardinals at 2013 conclave minus 1 cardinal elected pope (Bergoglio) minus 7 cardinals who died before the 2014 consistory (Antonetti, Nagy, Pimenta, Tonini, Mazombwe, Bartolucci, Carles Gordó) plus 19 newly-appointed cardinals.}}

On 11 December 2014, the Vatican announced that new cardinals would be created at a consistory on 14 February 2015.{{cite news|title=Consistory for the creation of new cardinals in February 2015|url=http://www.news.va/en/news/consistory-for-the-creation-of-new-cardinals-in-fe|access-date=12 December 2014|work=Vatican News|date=11 December 2014|archive-date=28 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828121038/http://www.news.va/en/news/consistory-for-the-creation-of-new-cardinals-in-fe|url-status=dead}} On 4 January 2015, Pope Francis announced the names of 20 cardinals-designate, including 15 who were under the age of 80.{{cite press release | url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/de/bollettino/pubblico/2015/01/04/0006/00008.html | title=Annuncio di Concistoro per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali | publisher=Holy See Press Office | date=4 January 2015 | language=it |access-date= 6 January 2015}} Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said the list "confirms that the pope doesn't feel tied to the traditional 'cardinal sees'", like Turin and Venice, "which reflected historic reasons in various countries. Instead we have various nominations of archbishops or bishops of sees in the past that wouldn't have had a cardinal."{{cite news|last1=D'Emilio|first1=Frances|title=Pope Francis Names 15 New Cardinals From 14 Countries |url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/pope-names-new-cardinals?|access-date=6 January 2015|work=Talking Points Memo|date=4 January 2015}} The selections continued the pattern Pope Francis established the previous year, showing a "preference for diocesan bishops" and for the Southern Hemisphere.{{cite news|last1=Tornielli |first1=Andrea |title=Pope announces names of new cardinals: Only one Curia member, many pastors from the peripheries |url=http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/concistoro-consistory-consistorio-38363/|access-date=6 January 2015|work=Vatican Insider|date=4 January 2015}} Of those under the age of 80, only one is a member of the Curia (Mamberti); three are bishops rather than archbishops; four are the first cardinals from their countries (Cape Verde, Myanmar, Panama, Tonga) and others from a diocese that has not had one for decades (Agrigento, Italy, not since 1786; Ancona, Italy, not in more than a century; Montevideo, Uruguay, not since 1979; Valladolid, Spain, not since 1919) or never had one (Morelia, Mexico).{{cite news|last1=McElwee |first1=Joshua J.|title=Francis diversifies cardinals, choosing prelates from Asia, island nations|url=http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-diversifies-cardinals-choosing-prelates-asia-island-nations|access-date=6 January 2015|work=National Catholic Reporter|date=4 January 2015}} Nine have been elected by their peers as president of a national or regional episcopal conference.{{cite news|last1=Mickens |first1=Robert|title=Francis chooses new cardinals from the margins|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/roman-observer/francis-chooses-new-cardinals-margins|access-date=6 January 2015|work=National Catholic Reporter|date=5 January 2015}} These appointments brought the number of cardinal electors to 125, while two electors would turn 80 in April. The total number of cardinals reached 227 after the consistory.{{efn|218 cardinals at previous consistory minus 11 cardinals who died before the 2015 consistory (Policarpo, Delly, Cé, Lourdusamy, Agré, Marchisano, Clancy, Szoka, Angelini, Mejía, Becker) plus 20 newly-appointed cardinals.}}

On 23 January 2015, Pope Francis advised each nominee how to respond to his appointment: "Accept it with humility. Only do so in a way that in these celebrations there does not creep in a spirit of worldliness that intoxicates more than grappa on an empty stomach, disorienting and separating one from the cross of Christ."{{cite news|last1=Wooden|first1=Cindy|title=Pope Francis urges new cardinals not to let nomination go to their heads|url=http://ncronline.org/blogs/francis-chronicles/pope-francis-urges-new-cardinals-not-let-nomination-go-their-heads|access-date=23 January 2015|work=National Catholic Reporter|agency=Catholic News Service|date=23 January 2015}}

The cardinals were invited to a consistory on 12–13 February devoted to presenting a preliminary plan for the reform of the Roman Curia to the entire College of Cardinals. Nineteen of the twenty cardinals-designate attended along with 148 of the 207 cardinals.{{cite news | url = https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/31501/a-reform-to-promote-harmony-–-pope-francis-opens-a-much-debated-consistory | access-date = 10 August 2022 | publisher = Catholic News Agency | date = 12 February 2015 | title = 'A reform to promote harmony' – Pope Francis opens a much-debated consistory }}{{cite web | access-date = 10 August 2022 | language = it | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2015/02/12/0115/00260.html | title = Concistoro del Collegio Cardinalizio (12-13 febbraio 2015), 12.02.2015 | date = 12 February 2015 | publisher = Holy See Press Office | author = Pope Francis }}

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI again attended the consistory and was greeted by Pope Francis before and after the ceremony. The only new cardinal unable to attend was Archbishop José de Jesús Pimiento Rodríguez, whose health prevented him from traveling to Rome.{{cite news|last1=Tornielli|first1=Andrea|title=The cardinalate is certainly an honour, but it is not honorific. Be examples of charity|url=http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/concistoro-2015-39159/|access-date=14 February 2015|work=Vatican Insider|date=14 February 2015}}

On 9 October 2016, the Pope announced that he planned to create new cardinals at a consistory on 19 November 2016,{{cite press release | url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2016/10/09/0723/01609.html|title=Annuncio di Concistoro per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali|publisher=Holy See|date=9 October 2016|access-date=9 October 2016}} including 13 cardinals under the age of 80 and four over the age of 80. His selections continued to demonstrate his preference for the peripheries and places not previously represented in the College of Cardinals. Several are the first named cardinals from their countries. Of those who are under the age of 80, only Farrell is a member of the Roman Curia. In choosing Simoni, Francis named his first cardinal who was not a bishop;{{cite web|url=http://cruxnow.com/global-church/2016/10/09/330128|title=Pope to create 13 new cardinals, including 3 Americans|website=Crux|date=9 October 2016|access-date=9 October 2016|archive-date=10 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010090100/https://cruxnow.com/global-church/2016/10/09/330128/|url-status=dead}} Simoni, who was one of the appointments over age 80, received a papal dispensation from the requirement of episcopal consecration. The appointments brought the total number of cardinals to 228 and the number of cardinal electors to 121. Zenari is the first active apostolic nuncio made a cardinal in the modern era.{{cite interview | access-date = 2 October 2023 | title = Cardinal Zenari on Syria's Civil War: 'The Children Are Paying the Highest Price' | work = National Catholic Register | date = 30 May 2017 | url = https://www.ncregister.com/news/cardinal-zenari-on-syria-s-civil-war-the-children-are-paying-the-highest-price | first = Mario | last = Zenari | interviewer = Deborah Castellano Lubov }}

Asked a year later at a meeting with Jesuits in Bangladesh why he named a cardinal from "a nation where there is such a small Christian community" (about 600,000, of which about 400,000 are Catholic), Francis said:{{cite periodical | access-date = 14 December 2017 | date=14 December 2017 | url = https://laciviltacattolica.com/church-life/at-the-crossroads-of-history-pope-francis-conversations-with-the-jesuits-in-myanmar-and-bangladesh/ | title = At the Crossroads of History: Pope Francis' Conversations with the Jesuits in Myanmar and Bangladesh |periodical=La Civiltà Cattolica}}

{{Blockquote|Naming the cardinals, I tried to look at small Churches, those that grow in the peripheries, at the edges. Not to give consolation to those Churches, but to launch a clear message: the small Churches that grow in the periphery and are without ancient Catholic traditions today must speak to the universal Church, to the whole Church. I clearly feel that they have something to teach us.}}

All the new cardinals attended the consistory on 19 November, except for Mosotho Bishop Khoarai, who was 87 and unable to travel. For the first time since his retirement, Pope emeritus Benedict XVI did not attend.{{cite news|last1=McElwee|first1=Joshua J.|title=Creating new cardinals, Francis warns against 'virus of polarization' in the church|url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/creating-new-cardinals-francis-warns-against-virus-polarization-church|access-date=19 November 2016|work=National Catholic Reporter|date=19 November 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Wooden|first1=Cindy|title=Pope calls new cardinals to be agents of unity in divided world|url=http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/pope-calls-new-cardinals-to-be-agents-of-unity-in-divided-world.cfm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119184931/http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2016/pope-calls-new-cardinals-to-be-agents-of-unity-in-divided-world.cfm|archive-date=19 November 2016|access-date=19 November 2016|website =Catholic News Service|date=19 November 2016}} The new cardinals were given the rank of cardinal priest except for Zenari, Farrell, and Simoni, who were made cardinal deacons.{{cite press release| publisher=Holy See Press Office | date = 19 November 2016 | access-date= 19 November 2016| url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2016/11/19/161119b.html | title=Titular churches and diaconates of the new cardinals, 19.11.2016}} Cardinal Nzapalainga became the youngest member of the College of Cardinals and the first born after the Second Vatican Council.{{cite web | url= https://cruxnow.com/cardinals/2016/10/19/now-cardinal-african-prelate-already-saint/ | access-date= 20 November 2016 | date= 19 October 2016 | title= Now a cardinal, this African prelate was already a 'saint' | website= Crux | archive-date= 25 October 2017 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171025074801/https://cruxnow.com/cardinals/2016/10/19/now-cardinal-african-prelate-already-saint/ }} Following the consistory, Pope Francis and the 16 new cardinals present visited the Pope emeritus as a group at his residence in Mater Ecclesiae Monastery and received his blessing.{{cite news|last1=Agasso Jr.|first1=Domenico|title=Pope and new cardinals pay Ratzinger a visit after the Consistory|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2016/11/19/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/pope-and-new-cardinals-pay-ratzinger-a-visit-after-the-consistory-NVwrt9PaWK7xs9ioVUL37I/pagina.html|access-date=19 November 2016|work=Vatican Insider|date=19 November 2016}}

On 21 May 2017, Pope Francis announced a consistory for the elevation of five new cardinals on 28 June. He adhered to his established pattern of appointing cardinals from the peripheries, including the first cardinals from El Salvador, Laos, Mali, and Sweden, the last of those also the first cardinal from Scandinavia. All five are under the age of 80.{{cite press release| url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2017/05/21/0345/00779.html|title=Annuncio di Concistoro il 28 giugno per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali| language=it| date=21 May 2017|publisher=Holy See|access-date=21 May 2017}} According to the National Catholic Reporter, Gregorio Rosa Chávez is "believed to be the first auxiliary bishop to have been made a cardinal in at least the modern era."{{cite news | work = National Catholic Reporter | access-date = 28 June 2017 | date = 28 June 2017 | first = Joshua J. | last = McElwee | url = https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-tells-new-cardinals-look-reality-facing-todays-catholics | title = Francis tells new cardinals to look at reality facing today's Catholics }} It has also been claimed that Rosa is the first parish pastor to be named cardinal in decades.{{cite web|url=http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2017/05/another-scarlet-jolt-with-firsts-all.html|last=Palmo|first=Rocco|website =Whispers in the Loggia|date=21 May 2017|access-date=22 May 2017|title=Another Scarlet Jolt – With Firsts All Around, Pope Adds 5 More Red Hats}}{{better source needed|date=June 2017}} With these new cardinals, the number of cardinal electors reached 121 and the total number of cardinals amounted to 225.{{efn|228 cardinals at previous consistory minus 8 cardinals who died before the 2017 consistory (Arns, Agustoni, Connell, Vlk, Keeler, Nicora, Husar, Dias) plus 5 newly-appointed cardinals.}}

Following the consistory on 28 June, Pope Francis and the new cardinals visited Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, who did not attend the ceremony.{{cite news|last1=Brockhaus|first1=Hannah|title=Pope Francis to Five New Cardinals: Jesus 'Calls You to Serve Like Him and With Him'| url=http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-to-five-new-cardinals-jesus-calls-you-to-serve-like-him-and-wi|access-date=28 June 2017|work=National Catholic Register|date=28 June 2017}}{{cite news | work = La Stampa | language = it | access-date = 28 June 2017 | url = http://www.lastampa.it/2017/06/28/vaticaninsider/ita/vaticano/il-papa-ges-non-vi-chiama-a-essere-prncipi-nella-chiesa-ma-a-servire-S8ytR3qjhvAhNe3xU8hHYL/pagina.html | title = Il Papa: "Gesù non vi chiama a essere prìncipi, ma a servire" | date = 28 June 2017 | first = Andrea | last = Tornielli }}

On 20 May 2018, Pope Francis announced a consistory for the elevation of fourteen new cardinals on 29 June, which was later changed to 28 June.{{cite press release | publisher = Holy See Press Office | url = http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/05/29/180529a.html | access-date = 29 May 2018 | date= 29 May 2018 | title= Calendar of the Celebrations presided at by the Holy Father Francis (June – August 2018), 29.05.2018}} The list of new cardinals included 11 young enough to participate in a papal election.{{cite news | access-date = 20 May 2018 | date= 20 May 2018| language = it| url = http://www.lastampa.it/2018/05/20/vaticaninsider/concistoro-a-giugno-ecco-i-nuovi-cardinali-di-francesco-H3E7fdAalZI0ZY1HlitjUJ/pagina.html |newspaper = La Stampa | title= Concistoro a giugno, ecco i nuovi cardinali di Francesco |first= Andrea | last= Tornielli }} Those named were an international group, as is typical of Francis, including prelates from Pakistan, Japan, and Madagascar, countries unrepresented in the College since 1994, 2007, and 2010, respectively.{{cite news | access-date = 24 June 2018 | date= 20 May 2018 | work=National Catholic Reporter |url = https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-names-14-cardinals-superseding-numbers-appointed-benedict-and-john-paul |title= Francis names 14 cardinals, surpassing numbers appointed by Benedict and John Paul| first =Joshua J. | last = McElwee}} He also named two members of the Roman Curia, an official of the papal household, and another of the Diocese of Rome. Ticona Porco, of Quechuan background, became the first Latin American cardinal of indigenous origin.{{cite news | access-date = 13 September 2022 | url = https://eldeber.com.bo/separata-digital/ticona-presume-su-quechua-en-roma-listo-para-su-investidura_7681 | language = es | date = 28 June 2018 | title = Ticona presume su quechua en Roma listo para su investidura | newspaper = El Deber | archive-date = 27 February 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240227144649/https://eldeber.com.bo/separata-digital/ticona-presume-su-quechua-en-roma-listo-para-su-investidura_7681 | url-status = dead }} With this consistory Francis again raised the number of cardinal electors to 125.{{cite news | work = Crux | first = Inés | last = San Martín | url = https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/05/20/pope-francis-to-create-14-new-cardinals-on-june-29/ | title = Pope Francis to create 14 new cardinals on June 29 | access-date = 20 May 2018 | date = 20 May 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180712234040/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/05/20/pope-francis-to-create-14-new-cardinals-on-june-29/ | archive-date = 12 July 2018 }}{{cite news | language= fr |access-date = 21 May 2018 | date= 20 May 2018| url = https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Catholicisme/Pape/Nouveaux-cardinaux-pape-confirme-equilibres-2018-05-20-1200940414 | work = La Croix | title = Nouveaux cardinaux: le pape confirme ses équilibres | first= Nicholas | last= Senèze}} The number of electors declined to 120 on 27 April 2019. The total number of cardinals reached 226 after the consistory.{{efn|225 cardinals at previous consistory minus 13 cardinals who died before the 2018 consistory (Meisner, Tettamanzi, Murphy-O'Connor, Caffarra, De Paolis, Vidal, Panafieu, Lanza di Montezemolo, Law, Lehmann, O'Brien, Castrillón Hoyos, Obando Bravo) plus 14 newly-appointed cardinals.}}

At the consistory, Sako addressed Francis on behalf of the new cardinals, thanking him for the concern he has shown for the small, persecuted Catholic population of the Middle East. Francis warned the new cardinals against "palace intrigues that take place, even in curial offices".{{cite news |title=Pope, Making New Cardinals, Hears Iraqi Tell of Martyrs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/06/28/world/europe/ap-eu-rel-vatican-new-cardinals.html |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=28 June 2018}} Sako did not receive the same red biretta as the others, but a rounder red "shash" traditionally worn by cardinals of the Chaldean Catholic Church.{{cite news |last1=Lamb |first1=Christopher |title=On becoming a cardinal, Sako says: 'Christianity will grow' |url=http://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/9307/on-becoming-a-cardinal-sako-says-christianity-will-grow- |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=The Tablet |date=28 June 2018 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180628184127/https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/9307/on-becoming-a-cardinal-sako-says-christianity-will-grow- | archive-date = 28 June 2018}} Francis and the new cardinals visited Pope emeritus Benedict XVI following the consistory.{{cite news| access-date = 28 June 2018|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/pope-making-new-cardinals-hears-iraqi-tell-of-martyrs/2018/06/28/1634083a-7ae1-11e8-ac4e-421ef7165923_story.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180628161400/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/pope-making-new-cardinals-hears-iraqi-tell-of-martyrs/2018/06/28/1634083a-7ae1-11e8-ac4e-421ef7165923_story.html |archive-date = 28 June 2018 |date=28 June 2018 | newspaper = Washington Post | title = Pope to new cardinals: Defend dignity of others |agency= Associated Press | first =Francis | last= D'Emilio}}

On 1 September 2019, Pope Francis announced that he would hold a consistory to create thirteen new cardinals on 5 October, including ten who are young enough to participate in a papal conclave.{{cite press release | access-date = 1 September 2019 | date= 1 September 2019 | language = it | title = Annuncio di Concistoro il 5 ottobre per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali, 01.09.2019| publisher = Holy See Press Office | url = http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2019/09/01/0650/01348.html}} This brought the number of cardinal electors to 128, eight more than the limit set by Pope Paul VI, but often ignored. The number of cardinal electors returned to 120 on 29 September 2020. The total number of cardinals reached 225 after the consistory.{{efn|226 cardinals at previous consistory minus 13 cardinals who died before the 2019 consistory (Tauran, Sebastián Aguilar, Danneels, Sfeir, Sgreccia, Sardi, Estepa Llaurens, Ortega y Alamino, Obeso Rivera, Silvestrini, Pimiento Rodríguez, Etchegaray, Levada) minus 1 cardinal who resigned (McCarrick) plus 13 newly-appointed cardinals.}}

The individuals named represent the international character of the Church, including prelates from Guatemala and Indonesia, as well as those with expertise on the care of migrants and relations with Islam; those from Luxembourg and Morocco were the first cardinals from those countries. Three of those named are Curial officials, including the only new cardinal of this consistory not already a bishop, Czerny,{{cite news | work = Crux | date = 1 September 2019 | access-date = 1 September 2019 | url = https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/09/01/pope-announces-surprise-consistory-handing-red-hats-to-key-allies/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190901133117/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/09/01/pope-announces-surprise-consistory-handing-red-hats-to-key-allies/ | url-status = live | archive-date = 1 September 2019 | first = Elise | last = Harris | title = Pope announces surprise consistory, handing red hats to key allies }}{{cite news | access-date = 1 September 2019 | date= 1 September 2019 | url = https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-names-13-new-cardinals-including-vaticans-point-person-helping-refugees | work = National Catholic Reporter | first = Joshua J. | last = McElwee | title =Francis names 13 new cardinals, including Vatican's point-person on helping refugees}} who was consecrated a bishop the day before the consistory.{{cite press release | url = http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2019/10/04/0773/01581.html | date= 4 October 2019 | access-date = 4 October 2019 | publisher = Holy See Press Office |language =it| title = Ordinazione Episcopale conferita dal Santo Padre Francesco, 04.10.2019 }}

Following the consistory, Pope Francis and the new cardinals visited Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, who spoke to them briefly and gave them his blessing.{{cite web | website =Catholic News Agency | access-date = 6 October 2019 | date= 5 October 2019 | url = https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/42465/pope-francis-urges-new-cardinals-to-imitate-christs-compassionate-heart | title = Pope Francis urges new cardinals to imitate Christ's compassionate heart | first = Courtney | last = Mares}}

On 25 October 2020, Pope Francis announced he would create thirteen new cardinals, nine of them young enough to be cardinal electors, at a consistory scheduled for 28 November.{{cite news |title=Pope announces a consistory for the creation of 13 new cardinals|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-10/pope-consistory-creation-13-new-cardinals-thirteen.html|access-date=25 October 2020|publisher=Vatican News|date=25 October 2020}} The list included the first cardinals from Brunei and Rwanda;{{cite news | access-date = 26 October 2020 | url = http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/pope-announces-new-cardinals-including-bruneis-bishop-cornelius-sim/56250/1 | work = Herald Malaysia | date= 25 October 2020 | title = Pope announces new cardinals, including Brunei's Bishop Cornelius Sim | agency = Catholic News Service | first = Cindy | last = Wooden }}{{cite news | access-date = 26 October 2020 | url = https://allafrica.com/stories/202010250041.html | title = Rwanda: Archbishop Kambanda Becomes Rwanda's First Cardinal | work = AllAfrica | first = Hudson | last = Kuteesa | date= 25 October 2020 }} the first Conventual Franciscan to become a cardinal in almost 160 years (Gambetti);{{cite tweet |user= gcatholic |number= 1320420820242620423 |date= 25 October 2020 |title= Fr. Mauro Gambetti, Custos of the Assisi Convent, will become the first Conventual Franciscan cardinal in 160 years; the last one was created in 1861 |link= |access-date= 26 October 2020 }}{{efn|The last was Fr. Antonio Maria Panebianco, elevated on 27 September 1861 by Pope Pius IX.{{cite news | access-date = 1 November 2020 | date= 26 October 2020 | url = https://www.osservatoreromano.va/it/news/2020-10/oggi-in-primo-piano-i-nuovi-cardinali-che-saranno-creati-da-pa.html | title = Oggi, in primo piano: i nuovi cardinali che saranno creati da Papa Francesco nel Concistoro del 28 novembre | language = it | work = L'Osservatore Romano }}}} the first African American cardinal (Gregory);{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/27/world/archbishop-wilton-gregory-cardinal/index.html|first1= Daniel |last1=Burke | first2=Delia | last2=Gallagher| publisher=CNN|title=This archbishop has become the first African American cardinal in Catholic history|date=28 November 2020}} the first Archbishop of Capiz to be made a cardinal;{{cite news | access-date = 7 November 2020 | url = https://international.la-croix.com/news/letter-from-rome/the-popes-13-new-cardinals-and-the-next-conclave/13266 | work = La Croix | title = The pope's 13 new cardinals and the next conclave | date = 31 October 2020 | first = Robert | last = Mickens}} and the first Archbishop of Siena to be made a cardinal since 1801.{{cite news | work = Crux | access-date = 10 November 2020 | date= 9 November 2020 | url = https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2020/11/new-cardinal-sees-clear-continuity-between-benedict-xvi-francis/ | first = Elise Ann | last = Allen | title = New cardinal sees clear continuity between Benedict XVI, Francis }}{{efn|The last cardinal archbishop of Siena was Antonio Felice Zondadari, who was elevated on 23 February 1801 by Pope Pius VII.}} Feroci, a parish priest, was consecrated a bishop on 15 November. Gambetti's service as custos ended on 12 November.{{cite news | access-date = 17 November 2020 | url = https://www.corrierecesenate.it/Dalla-Chiesa/Padre-Mauro-Gambetti-sara-ordinato-vescovo-il-22-novembre | date = 13 November 2020 | language = it| title = Padre Mauro Gambetti sarà ordinato vescovo il 22 novembre | work = Corriere Cesenate}} Cantalamessa was granted a dispensation from the requirement that he be consecrated a bishop.{{cite news | access-date = 20 November 2020 | url = https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/11/majority-of-cardinals-designate-expected-to-attend-consistory/ | date = 19 November 2020 | title = Majority of cardinals-designate expected to attend consistory | agency = Catholic News Service | first = Carol | last = Glatz | work = Crux}}

Because of COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, two of the new cardinals, Jose Advincula and Cornelius Sim, did not journey to Rome and instead viewed the ceremony via a digital link along with other cardinals unable to travel.{{cite news |work = The Tablet | access-date = 29 November 2020 | date= 28 November 2020 | url = https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/13623/pope-creates-first-african-american-cardinal| title = Pope creates first African-American cardinal | first = Christopher | last = Lamb}}{{cite news| access-date=12 November 2020 | date = 11 November 2020 | work= Crux | url = https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/11/cardinals-designate-facing-quarantine-trip-cancellations-due-to-pandemic/ | title= Cardinals-designate facing quarantine, trip cancellations due to pandemic | first = Junno | last = Arocho Esteves | agency = Catholic News Service }} The other eleven cardinals-designate self-quarantined at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta in the days preceding the ceremony. A hundred other guests were allowed in the basilica. Everyone but Pope Francis and the servers wore masks. The kiss of peace normally exchanged between the new cardinals and the other cardinals in attendance was omitted, as were the customary receptions following the ceremony. Francis and the eleven new cardinals in attendance visited Pope emeritus Benedict after the ceremony. This consistory brought the number of cardinal electors to 128 and the total number of cardinals to 229. Of the 128 electors, 73 had been appointed by Francis, 39 by Pope Benedict XVI, and 16 by Pope John Paul II.{{cite news | work= Vatican News | access-date = 28 November 2020 | date= 27 November 2020 | url = https://www.vaticannews.va/it/papa/news/2020-11/concistoro-papa-francesco-collegio-cardinali-porpore-numeri.html | title = Porpore e numeri, record e curiosità del "senato" della Chiesa | language = it | first = Alessandro | last = De Carolis | url-status = live | archive-date= 27 November 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201127153620/https://www.vaticannews.va/it/papa/news/2020-11/concistoro-papa-francesco-collegio-cardinali-porpore-numeri.html }} The number of electors fell to 120 on 7 November 2021 when Angelo Scola turned 80.{{cite news | language = fr | access-date = 17 April 2022 | date = 7 November 2022 | url = https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Le-cardinal-Angelo-Scola-sera-pas-electeur-prochain-conclave-2021-11-07-1201184047 | title = Le cardinal Angelo Scola ne sera pas électeur du prochain conclave | work = La Croix | first = Christophe | last = Henning }}

On 29 May 2022, Pope Francis announced he would create twenty-one new cardinals, sixteen of them young enough to be cardinal electors, at a consistory scheduled for 27 August.{{cite web | access-date = 30 May 2022 | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2022/05/29/0408/00844.html | date = 29 May 2022 | language = it | title = Annuncio di Concistoro il 27 agosto per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali, 29.05.2022 | publisher = Holy See Press Office}}{{cite news | access-date = 29 May 2022 | date = 29 May 2022 | url =https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn/pope-to-appoint-21-new-cardinals-in-august-putting-stamp-on-churchs-future | publisher = National Post | title= Pope to appoint 21 new cardinals in August, putting stamp on Church's future | agency= Reuters }}{{cite news | access-date = 30 May 2022 | date = 29 May 2022 | publisher = ABC News | url = https://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/wireStory/pope-names-21-cardinals-india-mongolia-85049819 | title = Pope names 21 new cardinals, from India, Mongolia, elsewhere | agency = Associated Press }} Among the new electors, there are three Curial officials, natives of South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom; only three other Europeans, one of them a missionary in Mongolia; two each from India and Brazil; and others from East Timor, Ghana, Nigeria, Paraguay, Singapore, and the United States. The appointments include the first cardinals from East Timor,{{cite news | access-date = 2 June 2022 | url = https://www.rvasia.org/church-asia/5-new-cardinals-east-timor-india-mongolia-and-singapore | date = 29 May 2022 | title = The 6 new cardinals from East Timor, India, Mongolia, Singapore and South Korea | publisher = Radio Veritas Asia }} Mongolia,{{cite news | access-date = 2 June 2022 | url = https://thecatholicspirit.com/news/nation-and-world/cardinal-days-of-august-popes-pick-for-cardinals-wasnt-the-only-surprise/ | date = 1 June 2022 | agency = Catholic News Service | title = Cardinal days of August: Pope's pick for cardinals wasn't the only surprise | work = Catholic Spirit |first = Cindy | last = Wooden }} Paraguay,{{cite news | language= es | access-date = 30 May 2022 | date = 29 May 2022 | title =El Papa Francisco creará al primer cardenal de Paraguay | publisher = ACI Prensa |url = https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/94000/el-papa-francisco-creara-al-primer-cardenal-de-paraguay }} and Singapore,{{cite news | access-date = 1 June 2022 | url = https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/catholic-archbishop-william-goh-be-appointed-singapores-first-cardinal-august | date = 29 May 2022 | work = Straits Times | title = Catholic Archbishop William Goh to be appointed Singapore's first cardinal in August | first = Rei | last = Kurohi}} the first ordinary of Goa since its erection in the 16th century,{{cite news | access-date = 1 June 2022 | url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/after-465-years-archdiocese-of-goa-gets-its-first-cardinal/articleshow/91876282.cms | date = 30 May 2022 | work = Times of India | title = Filipe Neri Ferrao: After 465 years, archdiocese of Goa gets its first cardinal }} the first from India's Dalit caste.{{cite news | access-date = 31 May 2022 | url = https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/hyderabad-archbishop-anthony-poola-be-first-dalit-cardinal-164485?amp | work = The News Minute | title = Hyderabad Archbishop Anthony Poola to be first Dalit cardinal| date = 30 May 2022 }} and the first from the Amazon region.{{cite news | work = Crux | access-date = 28 August 2022 | date = 27 August 2022 | url = https://cruxnow.com/consistory-creation-cardinals/2022/08/pope-urges-new-cardinals-to-be-meek-close-to-their-flocks-and-tender | first = Inés | last = San Martín | title = Pope urges new cardinals to be meek, close to their flocks and tender }}

Two are suffragan bishops, Cantoni and McElroy, whose metropolitan archbishops are not cardinals.{{cite news | access-date = 31 May 2022 | work = National Catholic Reporter | date = 29 May 2022 | url = https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/pope-francis-names-16-new-cardinal-electors-including-san-diegos-bishop-mcelroy | first = Christopher | last = White | title = Pope Francis names 16 new cardinal electors, including San Diego's Bishop McElroy }} Of two not yet bishops, Frezza received his episcopal consecration on 23 July{{cite news | access-date = 24 July 2022 | date = 23 July 2022 | language = it | work = Avvenire | title = Fortunato Frezza diventa vescovo. Ad agosto sarà cardinale | url = https://www.avvenire.it/chiesa/pagine/frezza-diventa-vescovo-poi-cardinale | first = Mimmo | last = Muolo }} and Ghirlanda received a dispensation from the requirement that all cardinals be bishops.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

In June, Pope Francis granted the request of one of those he had named, Lucas Van Looy, Bishop emeritus of Ghent, that he not be made a cardinal. Van Looy cited renewed criticism of his handling of charges of sexual abuse by priests when he was Bishop of Ghent.{{Cite web |last=d'Otreppe |first=Bosco |title=Luc Van Looy, évêque émérite de Gand, a demandé au pape de ne pas devenir cardinal |url=https://www.lalibre.be/belgique/societe/2022/06/16/luc-van-looy-eveque-emerite-de-gand-ne-deviendra-finalement-pas-cardinal-P5FXVTTHNZBLNARPMIEMPU7YDE/ |access-date=16 June 2022 | date = 16 June 2022 |work =La Libre |language=fr}}

The consistory coincides with a meeting of the entire College of Cardinals previously scheduled for 29–30 August to consider the new apostolic constitution, Praedicate evangelium, which took effect on 5 June.{{cite news |work = Crux | access-date = 30 May 2022 | date = 29 May 2022 | url = https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/05/pope-francis-announces-21-new-cardinals-including-key-allies | title = Pope Francis announces 21 new cardinals, including key allies | first = Inés | last = San Martín}}

On 27 August, Pope Francis created twenty cardinals, fifteen assigned to the rank of cardinal priests and five cardinal deacons.{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2022/documents/ns_lit_doc_20220827_titoli-diaconie-nuovi-cardinali_it.html|title=Assegnazione dei Titoli e delle Diaconie ai nuovi Cardinali|date=27 August 2022|website=The Holy See|publisher=Ufficio delle Celebrazioni Liturgiche del Sommo Pontefice|language=it|trans-title=Assignment of Titles and Deaconries to the new Cardinals|access-date=28 August 2022}} All of them attended the consistory except Baawobr who had traveled to Rome but was taken ill and hospitalized the day before the consistory.{{cite news | access-date = 28 August 2022 | date = 27 August 2022 | language = fr | url = https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Rencontrez-grands-monde-petits-demande-pape-Francois-cardinaux-2022-08-27-1201230491 | work = La Croix | title = Rencontrez les "grands de ce monde" et les "petits", demande le pape François aux cardinaux | first = Loup | last =Besmond de Senneville }} Among the cardinals in attendance was Angelo Becciu, invited by Pope Francis to attend this consistory despite having resigned the privileges of a cardinal.{{cite news | access-date = 28 August 2022 | date = 27 August 2022 | language = it | work = Le Repubblica | title =Vaticano, il Papa nomina 20 nuovi cardinali: "Guai a una nuova guerra fredda" | first = Paolo | last = Rodari | url = https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2022/08/27/news/vaticano_concistoro_papa_francesco_cardinali-363154103/ }} After the ceremony, the pope and the nineteen new cardinals in attendance visited Pope emeritus Benedict XVI at his residence.{{cite news | access-date = 28 August 2022 | date = 27 August 2022 | url = https://aleteia.org/2022/08/27/new-cardinals-visit-benedict-xvi/ | work = Aleteia | title = New cardinals visit Benedict XVI }} The nineteen then held the customary receptions, which had been suspended in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news | work = Vatican News | access-date = 29 August 2022 | date = 27 August 2022 | url = https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-08/consistory-20-new-cardinals-2-saints-for-the-universal-church.html | title = Consistory: 20 new Cardinals and 2 Saints for the universal Church | first = Salvatore | last = Cernuzio }} Three of the new cardinals were the three youngest cardinals: Costa at 55, do Carmo da Silva at 54, and Marengo at 48.

Following the 2022 consistory, 83 of the cardinal electors had been appointed by Francis, 38 by Pope Benedict XVI, and 11 by Pope John Paul II.{{cite news | work = National Catholic Reporter | access-date = 28 August 2022 | date = 27 August 2022 | url = https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/pope-francis-exhorts-san-diegos-mcelroy-new-cardinals-practice-unassuming-power | first = Christopher | last = White | title = Pope Francis exhorts San Diego's McElroy, new cardinals to practice 'unassuming power' }}

File:Cardinal Robert F. Prevost at the Consistory on 30 September 2023 (cropped portrait).jpg (born 1955), made a cardinal on 30 September 2023 and elected Pope Leo XIV on 8 May 2025]]

On 9 July 2023, Pope Francis announced that he would create twenty-one new cardinals, eighteen of them young enough to be cardinal electors, at a consistory scheduled for 30 September. New electors included the first cardinal from South Sudan, three Curial officials, two papal nuncios, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, both a coadjutor archbishop and an auxiliary bishop, and the superior of the Salesians. Ángel Fernández Artime is the first active head of a religious congregation named a cardinal.{{cite news | access-date = 18 September 2023 |url = https://salesianbulletin.org/2023/08/04/the-future-cardinal/ | work = Salesian Bulletin | date = 4 August 2023 | title = The Future Cardinal, Fr. Ángel Fernández Artime }} As he had once before in 2016, Francis looked to the diplomatic corps of the Holy See, naming two active apostolic nuncios.{{cite news | access-date = 2 October 2023 | url = https://www.laciviltacattolica.com/the-renewal-of-a-college-of-cardinals-always-ready-for-its-service/ | title = The Renewal of a College of Cardinals Always Ready for its Service | date = 29 September 2023 | first = Federico | last = Lombardi | work = La Civiltà Cattolica }} Francis also named three men over the age of eighty who are unable to vote in a future conclave.{{cite web|url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2023/07/pope-names-21-new-cardinals-including-an-american-and-his-envoy-to-the-u-s|title=Pope names 21 new cardinals, including an American and his envoy to the U.S.|publisher=Crux |first=Elise Ann | last= Allen|date=9 July 2023|accessdate=9 July 2023}} Aguiar's appointment while an auxiliary of Lisbon was called "a genuine novelty"{{cite news | access-date = 9 August 2023 | url =https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/eight-takeaways-from-the-pope-s-latest-selection-of-cardinals | work = National Catholic Register | date = 11 July 2023 | first = Raymond J. | last = de Souza | title = Eight Takeaways From the Pope's Latest Selection of Cardinals}} and some speculated Francis would move him to the Roman Curia shortly.{{cite news | access-date = 9 August 2023 | publisher = The Pillar | url = https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/the-rise-of-bishop-americo-aguiar | date = 12 July 2023 | title =The rise of Bishop Américo Aguiar | first = Filipe | last = D'Avillez }}{{cite news | access-date = 9 August 2023 | url = https://setemargens.com/nomeacao-de-americo-aguiar-como-cardeal-pode-leva-lo-para-roma-depois-da-jmj/ | date = 9 July 2023 | title = Nomeação de Américo Aguiar como cardeal pode levá-lo para Roma depois da JMJ | trans-title = Américo Aguiar's nomination as cardinal could land him in Rome after WYD | first = António | last = Marujo | work = 7Margens }} In the event, Pope Francis named him bishop of Setúbal on 21 September 2023.{{cite press release | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/09/21/230921d.html | access-date = 22 September 2023 | date = 21 September 2023 | title = Resignations and Appointments, 21.09.2023 | publisher = Holy See Press Office}}

Those Francis named included the future Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost.{{Cite news |last=Horowitz |first=Jason |last2=Rich |first2=Motoko |last3=Dias |first3=Elizabeth |date=8 May 2025|title=Here’s the latest. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/05/08/world/pope-conclave-news/pope-leo-xiv-robert-francis-prevost |access-date=8 May 2025 |work=New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Luis Pascual Dri and Ángel Fernández Artime were granted dispensations from the requirement that they receive episcopal consecration before becoming cardinals.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} Artime is the first cardinal elector to receive such a dispensation since Roberto Tucci spent two months as a potential cardinal elector in 2001.

The consistory followed Pope Francis's visit to Marseille on 23 September by a week and preceded the opening of the Synod of Bishops on the subject of synodality by four days.

The ceremony was held outdoors on the parvis of St. Peter's Basilica. Of the new cardinals, Dri did not attend the consistory because of his health and age.{{cite news | access-date = 8 January 2024 | language = es | url = https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/101366/vaticano-cardenal-dri-de-argentina-no-estuvo-en-consistorio-con-el-papa-francisco | publisher = ACI Prensa | title =Uno de los 21 nuevos cardenales no estuvo en el consistorio con el Papa Francisco | date = 30 September 2023 | first = Walter |last=Sánchez Silva }}{{cite news | access-date = 14 July 2023 | work = Crux | url = https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-americas/2023/07/new-96-year-old-cardinal-says-if-i-forgive-too-much-its-jesus-fault | first = Elise Ann | last = Allen | title = New 96-year-old cardinal says: 'If I forgive too much, it's Jesus' fault!' }} He received his cardinal's regalia on 11 October 2023 from Archbishop Mirosław Adamczyk, Apostolic Nuncio to Argentina, at a ceremony in the cathedral of Buenos Aires.{{cite news | language = es | url = https://www.religiondigital.org/america/cardenal-Dri-recibe-titulo-cardenalicio_0_2605239459.amp.html | publisher = Religión Digital | access-date = 8 January 2024 | title = El nonagenario cardenal Luis Dri recibe el título cardenalicio en la catedral porteña entre aplausos | date = 12 October 2023 }}

As of the conclusion of the 2023 consistory, of the 99 cardinals appointed by Francis who would be eligible to participate as electors in a papal conclave, only 37 (38%) were European. Some 52% of the electors were Europeans at the 2013 conclave that elected Francis, but only 39% were Europeans as of 30 September 2023.{{Cite web |last=Diamant |first=Jeff |date=20 September 2023 |title=Under Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals has become less European |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/09/20/under-pope-francis-the-college-of-cardinals-has-become-less-european/ |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=Pew Research Center |language=en-US}}

On 6 October 2024, Pope Francis announced he planned to create 21 cardinals on 8 December,{{cite press release | access-date = 6 October 2024 | date = 6 October 2024 | language = it | publisher = Holy See Press Office | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/06/0774/01532.html | title = Annuncio di Concistoro l'8 dicembre per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali, 06.10.2024 }} a date that was later changed to 7 December,{{cite news | access-date = 12 October 2024 | url = https://www.ncregister.com/cna/vatican-shares-pope-francis-schedule-for-december-consistory-to-create-cardinals?amp | first = Hannah | last = Brockhaus | date = 12 October 2024 | title = Vatican Shares Pope Francis' Schedule for December Consistory to Create Cardinals | work = National Catholic Register }} and their number later reduced to 20, and then increased to 21 again. Francis said: "Their provenance expresses the universality of the church, which continues to announce the merciful love of God to all men on earth." In a letter to those he named, Francis welcomed them to "the Roman clergy" and counseled them "to love more expansively", pray for discernment, and stay close to realities that "demand from you great compassion and mercy". He offered the title of "servant" in place of "eminence".{{cite news | access-date = 12 October 2024 | date = 12 October 2024 | publisher = Catholic News Agency | title = Pope Francis writes letter to new cardinals: You express the Church's unity | first=Hannah | last = Brockhaus | url = https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/259819/pope-francis-writes-letter-to-21-new-cardinals-in-college-of-cardinals-you-express-the-church-s-unity }}

All but one of those announced were young enough to be cardinal electors, and that one, Acerbi, at the age of 99, is "likely the oldest man ever to be named a cardinal".{{cite news | access-date = 6 October 2024 | date = 6 October 2024 | work = Crux | url = https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2024/10/pope-gives-nods-to-peripheries-and-pals-in-naming-21-new-cardinals | title = Pope gives nods to peripheries and pals in naming 21 new cardinals | first = Elise Ann | last = Allen}} Only two were Curial officials (Baggio and Koovakad), and two worked for the Diocese of Rome (Makrickas and Reina); four–after the list was modified on 4 November–were Italians (Baggio, Battaglia, Reina and Repole).{{cite news | access-date = 6 October 2024 | date = 6 October 2024 | work = National Catholic Reporter | url = https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/pope-francis-further-cementing-his-legacy-names-21-new-cardinals | first = Christopher | last = White | title = Pope Francis, further cementing his legacy, names 21 new cardinals }} Eleven were members of religious orders: three (originally four) Franciscans, two Dominicans, two Divine Word Missionaries, one Redemptorist, one Scalabrinian, and one Vincentian.{{cite news| access-date= 7 October 2024 | date = 7 October 2024| url= https://international.la-croix.com/world/who-are-the-21-new-cardinals-chosen-by-pope-francis | work= La Croix International | title = Who are the 21 new cardinals chosen by Pope Francis? | first=Malo |last=Tresca }} When their names were announced, nine of the 21 were in Rome participating in the Synod on Synodality.

On 22 October 2024, the Holy See Press Office announced that Pope Francis accepted the request of Paskalis Bruno Syukur, Bishop of Bogor in Indonesia, to continue in his current mission and not be made a cardinal.{{cite press release | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/10/22/0815/01627.html | date = 22 October 2024 | access-date = 22 October 2024 | publisher = Holy See Press Office |language=it| title = Dichiarazione del Direttore della Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, 22.10.2024 }} On 4 November Francis added the name of Domenico Battaglia, Archbishop of Naples.{{cite press release | access-date = 4 November 2024 | date = 4 November 2024 | language = it | publisher = Holy See Press Office |title= Dichiarazione del Direttore della Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, 04.11.2024 |url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2024/11/04/0859/01709.html }}

Koovakad received his episcopal consecration on 24 November.{{cite news | access-date = 24 November 2024 | date = 24 November 2024 | work= The Hindu | url =https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/episcopal-ordination-of-george-jacob-koovakad-held/article68906138.ece/ | title = Episcopal ordination of George Jacob Koovakad held }} Baggio's was scheduled for 11 January 2025,{{cite news | access-date = 12 December 2024 | language = it | url = https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/vaticano/italiani-giovani-e-diplomatici-ecco-francesco-si-prende-2408599.html | work = Il Giornale | title = Italiani, giovani e diplomatici: ecco come Francesco "si prende" la Chiesa di domani | date = 8 December 2024}} while Radcliffe received a dispensation from the requirement.{{cite web | access-date = 13 December 2024 | url = https://www.sjc.ox.ac.uk/discover/news/fr-timothy-radcliffe-op-created-a-cardinal/ | date = 9 December 2024 | title = Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP created a cardinal | website = St John's College, Oxford | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20241209143353/https://www.sjc.ox.ac.uk/discover/news/fr-timothy-radcliffe-op-created-a-cardinal/ | archive-date= 9 December 2024 | url-status= live}}

The cardinals appear here in the sequence they were announced.

At the consistory, with papal permission, the two Dominicans becoming cardinals, Radcliffe and Vesco, wore the white robes of their order rather than the red robes similar to the other cardinals.{{cite news | access-date = 7 December 2024 | url = https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/bruised-pope-francis-tells-21-new-cardinals-walk-path-jesus | work = National Catholic Reporter | date = 7 December 2024 | title = A bruised Pope Francis tells 21 new cardinals: 'Walk in the path of Jesus' | first = Christopher | last = White }} Two others wore the robes appropriate to their respective rites: Bychok of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic and Koovakad of the Syro-Malabar Catholic. In place of a biretta, Bychok received a black koukoulion with red piping{{cite web | access-date = 10 December 2024 | url = https://melbournecatholic.org/news/pope-calls-21-new-cardinals-including-melbournes-cardinal-mykola-bychok-to-build-church-unity | title = Pope calls 21 new cardinals, including Melbourne's Cardinal Mykola Bychok, to build church unity | website = Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne | date = 9 December 2024 }} and Koovakad a shash similar to the one given to Cardinal Sako in 2018.{{cn|date=December 2024}} Acerbi gave the customary address to the pope on behalf of the new cardinals.{{cite news | url =https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/12/08/pope-francis-death-row-united-state-consistory-cardinals-249426 | access-date = 12 December 2024 | work = America | date = 8 December 2024| title = A busy weekend for Pope Francis }}

Following the 2024 consistory, 110 (79%) of the cardinal electors had been appointed by Francis, 24 (17%) by Pope Benedict XVI, and 6 (4%) by Pope John Paul II. Sixteen of the new cardinals were assigned to the order of cardinal priests; the five assigned to the order of cardinal deacons were Acerbi, Makrickas, Radcliffe, Baggio, and Koovakad. Bychok became the youngest member of the College of Cardinals at the age of 44.{{cite news| access-date= 7 December 2024 | date = 7 October 2024| url= https://international.la-croix.com/world/who-are-the-21-new-cardinals-chosen-by-pope-francis | work= La Croix International | title = Who are the 21 new cardinals chosen by Pope Francis? | first=Malo |last=Tresca }} Ladislav Nemet was the first Serbian to join the College.{{cite news |url=https://n1info.rs/english/news/belgrade-archbishop-nemet-to-be-appointed-first-cardinal-from-serbia/ |title=Belgrade Archbishop Nemet to be appointed first Cardinal from Serbia |work=N1 |date=7 October 2024 |access-date=7 December 2024}} Radcliffe was a rare instance of a non-bishop who qualifies to be an elector, a status he loses upon his 80th birthday in August 2025.

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