Consistory

The Latest

Blessed Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

Consistory announced to approve Fatima children's canonization

Apr 11, 2017

Pope Francis will hold an ordinary public consistory on April 20, where the cardinals of the Church are expected to... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Tobin greets guests at the Pontifical North American College Nov. 19, 2016.

American cardinals reflect after Pope's anti-division comments

Nov 19, 2016

By Elise Harris

When Pope Francis spoke out sharply against the “virus of polarization,” three new American cardinals saw a chance for a... Read more

Pope Francis elevates 17 new cardinals during the Nov. 19, 2016, consistory.

Pope warns new cardinals against falling into polemics, division

Nov 19, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Saturday Pope Francis handed a red hat to 17 new cardinals, warning them against the danger of falling into... Read more

Cardinal's biretta.

So what is a consistory, anyway?

Nov 18, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

In a simple rite this Saturday, 17 prelates will receive a red biretta from Pope Francis and thus join the... Read more

Red cardinal's biretta.

New Venezuelan cardinal says country's crisis prompted red hat

Nov 18, 2016

By Elise Harris

Venezuelan Archbishop Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo is one of the Pope's picks from the peripheries who will get a red... Read more

Cardinals gathered in St. Peter's Basilica for a consistory, Nov. 4, 2012.

What's the thought behind Pope Francis' choices for cardinals?

Oct 12, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

With the Consistory of Cardinals in November, Pope Francis will shape the College of Cardinals to give the widest representation... Read more

Pope Francis embraces Rev. Ernest Troshani in Tirana's St. Paul Cathedral, Albania.

Albanian priest who moved the Pope to be named Cardinal

Oct 9, 2016

The Albanian priest whose testimony moved Pope Francis to tears in 2014 is one of the 17 international bishops and... Read more

Participants begin to enter the Vatican's Synod Hall before the Friday session of the Synod on the Family, Oct. 10, 2014.

Pope Francis announces new consistory to coincide with close of Jubilee

Oct 9, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis announced that he will hold a consistory of cardinals on the Nov. 19 vigil of the... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass with new Cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica on Feb. 15, 2015.

New cardinals speak out on perils, potential of a globalized society

Feb 18, 2015

Pope Francis' newly elevated cardinals reflected on their roles as shepherds within a vast, multicultural Church – and the many... Read more

Pope Francis and cardinals at the consistory Feb. 14, 2015.

Pope Francis' call to new cardinals: be captivated by truth

Feb 14, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis welcomed the Catholic Church’s newest cardinals on Saturday, encouraging them to center themselves in Jesus Christ as they... Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica from the Augustianum in Rome, Feb. 11, 2015.

At the consistory, a strong dedication to Vatican reforms

Feb 13, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Reform was the watchword as cardinals met at the Vatican for briefings about the state of Vatican finances and about... Read more

Archbishop Ricardo Blazquz Perez of Valladolid, who will be made a cardinal Feb. 14, 2015.

Austerity marks the life of Archbishop Blazquez, Spain's next cardinal

Feb 8, 2015

Archbishop Ricardo Blazquez Perez' friends say one of his first decisions as Archbishop of Valladolid was to set aside part... Read more

Pope Francis greets Archbishop Edoardo Menichelli of Ancona-Osimo, who will be made a cardinal Feb. 14, at the Vatican on Jan. 4, 2015.

Archbishop Edoardo Menichelli: a talented preacher and soon-to-be cardinal

Feb 6, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

When he learned in January Pope Francis would make him a cardinal, Archbishop Edoardo Menichelli of Ancona-Osimo did not want... Read more

A Cardinal's biretta rests on an empty chair.

Cape Verde, Africa is getting its first cardinal

Feb 3, 2015

At the beginning of the year, Pope Francis announced that among the 20 men he would make cardinal on Feb.... Read more

Cardinals pray together at the most recent consistory, held Feb. 22, 2014.

Worldliness 'stuns more than grappa on a fast,' Pope tells new cardinals

Jan 24, 2015

By Elise Harris

In a letter to the 20 bishops who will be elevated to the cardinalate next month, Pope Francis said that... Read more

Archbishop Alberto Suarez Inda of Morelia, who will be made a cardinal during the Feb. 14 consistory.

Head of drug war-torn Mexican diocese to become a cardinal

Jan 9, 2015

Pope Francis announced Jan. 4 that among the 20 men who will be named cardinals at the next consistory is... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica.

Will the appointment of new cardinals advance reform?

Jan 5, 2015

In creating 20 new cardinals – 15 of whom will be cardinal electors – Pope Francis has continued to set... Read more

Cardinals pray together at the most recent consistory, held Feb. 22, 2014.

Pope Francis' new cardinals shed light on Church's minorities

Jan 4, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis announced the names of the 15 bishops to be created cardinal electors in... Read more

Cardinals at the Feb. 23, 2014 Mass at St. Peter's Basilica.

Cardinals bring 'voice of poor' to Vatican

Feb 23, 2014

Pope Francis’ appointment of new cardinals from distant and impoverished countries has helped bring the topic of pastoral care for... Read more

Pope Francis leans down to a girl at Feb. 23 Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Basilica,

Christian leaders should serve, says Pope

Feb 23, 2014

In his Sunday Angelus message, Pope Francis spoke about the importance of service rather than special privilege in the Christian... Read more