Pope names 13 new cardinals, including first black US prelate Wilton Gregory
- Pontiff makes surprise announcement from studio window at St Peter’s Square, saying churchmen will be elevated in ceremony on November 28
- Gregory’s selection wins praise from LGBT advocates in US, days after Pope Francis grabbed headlines by supporting civil unions for gay couples
Pope Francis on Sunday named 13 new cardinals, including Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory, who would become the first black US prelate to earn the coveted red hat.
In a surprise announcement from his studio window to faithful standing below in St Peter’s Square, Francis said the churchmen would be elevated to a cardinal’s rank in a ceremony on November 28.
Francis asked for prayers so the new cardinals “may help me in my ministry as bishop of Rome for the good of all God’s faithful holy people”.
The selection of Gregory won praise from LGBT advocates in the United States, days after Pope Francis grabbed headlines for voicing support for civil unions for gay couples.
02:42
Pope Francis shows support for same-sex civil unions in new documentary Francesco
Other new cardinals include an Italian who is the long-time papal preacher at the Vatican, the Reverend Raniero Cantalamessa, who is a Franciscan friar; the Kigali, Rwanda, Archbishop Antoine Kambanda; the Capiz, Philippines, Archbishop Jose Feurte Advincula, and the Santiago, Chile, Archbishop Celestino Aos Braco.