Pope Francis appoints two Africans among 21 new Cardinals

Pope Francis has announced the creation of 21 new cardinals, including two African Archbishops, as part of his continued efforts to diversify the leadership of the Catholic Church.

The consistory, where the new cardinals will be formally elevated, is set to take place at the Vatican. Among the appointees are Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Ivory Coast and Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco of Algeria, reflecting the Pope’s commitment to ensuring greater representation from different parts of the world.

The new cardinals come from various regions, including Latin America, Asia, and Africa, emphasizing Pope Francis’ vision of a more inclusive and global church. The appointments expand the College of Cardinals and will influence the future direction of the Church, as cardinals play a crucial role in electing future Popes.

Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo, currently serving as the Archbishop of Abidjan in Ivory Coast, has been a prominent figure in advocating for peace and social justice within the African context. Similarly, Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco, the Archbishop of Alger in Algeria, is known for his efforts in interreligious dialogue, particularly between Christians and Muslims in North Africa.

In addition to these two African leaders, the list includes prominent figures from around the globe, such as Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi of Japan, Archbishop Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib of Chile, and Archbishop Francis Leo of Toronto, Canada. The new cardinals will contribute to strengthening the leadership within their respective regions and also bring diverse perspectives to the global Catholic community.

The consistory marks another significant moment in Pope Francis’ papacy, highlighting his ongoing commitment to addressing global issues, such as climate change, migration, and inequality, through a church leadership that is as diverse as the communities it serves. The inclusion of more leaders from the Global South continues a trend seen throughout his tenure, aiming for a more representative and decentralized church.

The 21 new cardinals will be officially appointed on October 11, 2024, during a ceremony in Rome

Here is the list of the 21 new cardinals appointed by Pope Francis.

H.E. Msgr. Angelo Acerbi, Apostolic Nuncio
H.E. Msgr. Carlos Gustavo Castillo Mattasoglio, Archbishop of Lima (Peru)
H.E. Msgr. Vicente Bokalic Iglic, C.M., Archbishop of Santiago del Estero (Argentina)
H.E. Msgr. Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, O.F.M., Archbishop of Guayaquil (Ecuador)
H.E. Msgr. Fernando Natalio Chomalí Garib, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile (Chile)
Archbishop Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D., Archbishop of Tokyo (Japan)
H.E. Msgr. Pablo Virgilio Siongco David, Bishop of Kalookan (Philippines)
H.E. Msgr. Ladislav Nemet, S.V.D., Archbishop of Beograd-Smederevo (Serbia)
H.E. Msgr. Jaime Spengler, O.F.M., Archbishop of Porto Alegre (Brazil)
H.E. Msgr. Ignace Bessi Dogbo, Archbishop of Abidjan (Ivory Coast)
H.E. Msgr. Jean-Paul Vesco, O.P., Archbishop of Alger (Algeria)
H.E. Msgr. Paskalis Bruno Syukur, O.F.M., Bishop of Bogor (Indonesia)
H.E. Msgr. Dominique Joseph Mathieu, O.F.M. Conv., Archbishop of Tehran Ispahan (Iran)
H.E. Msgr. Roberto Repole, Archbishop of Turin (Italy)
H.E. Msgr. Baldassare Reina, Auxiliary Bishop of Rome
H.E. Msgr. Francis Leo, Archbishop of Toronto (Canada)
H.E. Msgr. Rolandas Makrickas, Archpriest Coadjutor of the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major
H.E. Msgr. Mykola Bychok, C.S.R., Bishop of the Eparchy Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne of the Ukrainians
R.P. Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe, O.P., Theologian
R.P. Fabio Baggio, C.S., Undersecretary, Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development
Mgr. George Jacob Koovakad, Official of the Secretary of State, Responsible for Travel.