Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including from Singapore and India as Catholic Church tilts towards Asia
- By appointing cardinals in Singapore, Mongolia, India and East Timor, Francis appears to be seeking to increase the Church’s prestige and clout in Asia
- Cardinals rank second only to the pope in the Church hierarchy and serve as his closest advisers at home and around the world
Pope Francis announced on Sunday that he would appoint 21 new cardinals, including one based in Mongolia, as he again put his stamp on the Roman Catholic Church’s future by elevating more men from the developing world to the high rank.
Sixteen are cardinal electors under 80 and eligible to enter a conclave to elect his successor from among themselves after his death or resignation. Eleven of the electors are from, or based in, countries outside Europe or North America.
Cardinals rank second only to the pope in the Church hierarchy and serve as his closest advisers at home and around the world. Due to their historical power and influence, they are still called the Princes of the Church, although Francis has told them not to live like royalty and to be close to the poor.
One significant appointment in the rich world was that of Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego, California, seen as a progressive. By giving San Diego its first cardinal, Francis bypassed conservative archbishops in the larger cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles.
McElroy has been an outspoken ally of Francis’ pastoral approach in issues such as protection of the environment and a more welcoming approach to gay Catholics.