College of Cardinals

The Latest

Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples, Italy.

Italy’s Mafia-fighting ‘street priest’ Archbishop Domenico Battaglia to become a cardinal

Nov 14, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Battaglia’s reputation as a “street priest” close to drug addicts and the poor has also led some to view him... Read more

Pope Francis addresses journalists aboard the papal plane heading to Mongolia, with Cardinal-elect George Jacob Koovakad at left, on Aug. 31, 2023.

Meet Pope Francis’ personal travel agent — new cardinal George Koovakad

Nov 7, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pontiff introduced Father George Jacob Koovakad to the world in 2021 as someone who is “always smiling.” Read more

The blood of St. Januarius liquefied on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, before a Mass in Naples, Italy, where Archbishop Domenico Battaglia said that the blood of the fourth-century martyr is a powerful reminder that “love is stronger than death.”

Pope Francis includes Naples, Italy, archbishop among new cardinals

Nov 5, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

During his tenure in Naples, Italy, the archbishop has spoken out strongly against the violence of organized crime in the... Read more

Cardinals outside the Paul VI Hall.

Pope Francis cuts salaries of Vatican cardinals again

Oct 28, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Pope Francis has decided to cut the salaries of the cardinals working at the Vatican again, a measure that will... Read more

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, 2023, where he also blessed the pallia for new archbishops.

Vatican shares Pope Francis’ schedule for December consistory to create cardinals

Oct 12, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Dec. 8, Pope Francis will preside at a Mass with the College of Cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica. Read more

Pope Francis prays at the Mass in suffrage for the cardinals and bishops who have died in the past year, Nov. 2, 2022.

Pope Francis writes letter to new cardinals: You express the Church’s unity

Oct 12, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis will add 21 members to the College of Cardinals at a consistory at the Vatican in December. Read more

Pope Francis creates new cardinals at a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 5, 2019.

Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including archbishops of Tehran and Toronto

Oct 6, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has created 142 cardinals from 70 countries at nine consistories. Read more

The College of Cardinals celebrates Mass on March 12, 2013, before entering the Sistine Chapel for the papal conclave.

Analysis: The ever-changing College of Cardinals

Mar 13, 2024

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Were a conclave to begin today, there would be 94 cardinal-electors created by Pope Francis, 27 created by Benedict XVI,... Read more

White smoke rises from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on March 13, 2013, signaling that the College of Cardinals has elected a new pope.

Anonymous Cardinal ‘Demos II’ proposes agenda for next pope 

Mar 5, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

An anonymous cardinal offers seven suggested tasks for the next successor of St. Peter. Read more

Pope Francis leads the prayer at the general congregation of the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican on Oct. 6, 2023.

The cardinals at the Synod on Synodality: A prelude for the next conclave?

Oct 11, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

While not exactly a dress rehearsal for an upcoming conclave, the Synod on Synodality provides a setting for numerous cardinals... Read more

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals from across the world at the Saturday morning, Sept. 30, 2023, consistory in St. Peter’s Square.

Here’s what the Church’s newest cardinals think about the Synod on Synodality

Oct 3, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Six cardinals who are participating in this month’s Synod on Synodality — and five who are not — told CNA... Read more

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals from across the world at a Saturday morning consistory in St. Peter’s Square, Sept. 30, 2023.

Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals, expanding body’s geographic diversity

Sep 30, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The pope shared a guiding image for the College of Cardinals: that of “a symphony orchestra, representing the harmony and... Read more

The extraordinary consistory of cardinals meets at the Vatican's Synod Hall, Aug. 29, 2022.

What is a consistory? Your questions answered

Sep 29, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s consistory. Read more

Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of Juba and his episcopal coat of arms (top left); Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong and his episcopal coat of arms (top right); Bishop Américo Aguiar of Setúbal, Portugal, and his coat of arms (bottom left); Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town and his coat of arms.

Catholic Church’s new cardinals explain why they chose their spiritual mottos

Sep 28, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Episcopal mottos are selected when a Catholic priest is consecrated as a bishop and are traditionally found at the base... Read more

Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti with Pope Francis

ANALYSIS: How to interpret Pope Francis’ choice of new cardinals

Jul 11, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis has appointed the overwhelming majority of cardinals who will choose his successor. Read more

Archbishop Robert Prevost and Archbishop Christophe Pierre were among the 21 named cardinals by Pope Francis on Sunday, July 9, 2023.

Meet the two new cardinals with ties to the U.S. 

Jul 10, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Pope Francis named 21 new cardinals Sunday, two of whom have deep ties to the Church in the United States. Read more

New cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan (L), Archbishop of New York, receives the biretta cap from Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica on Feb. 18, 2012, in Vatican City, Vatican.

U.S. cardinals react to Benedict XVI’s death

Jan 1, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

A roundup of tributes from members of the College of Cardinals from the United States to the late pope. Read more

Pope Francis speaks during Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Aug. 30, 2022.

Pope Francis to cardinals: We are jointly responsible for the Church

Aug 30, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

We have the same mission to evangelize the world as did the apostles 2,000 years ago, a fact that should... Read more

The extraordinary consistory of cardinals meets at the Vatican's Synod Hall, Aug. 29, 2022.

197 cardinals meet behind closed doors — but what is being discussed?

Aug 29, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The cardinals of the Catholic Church have been called to Rome for an extraordinary consistory. It is the first of... Read more

Cardinal Robert McElroy, bishop of San Diego, celebrates Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Rome Aug. 28, 2022.

Cardinal McElroy celebrates Mass of Thanksgiving in Rome

Aug 28, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego is the United States' newest cardinal. Read more