College of Cardinals

The Latest

Pope Francis visits Benedict XVI on Aug. 27th, 2022

New cardinals and Pope Francis pay visit to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Aug 27, 2022

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis joined 19 of the Church’s 20 newly installed cardinals Saturday in a visit with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI... Read more

Bishop Robert McElroy. CNA file photo.

Cardinal Robert McElroy: Newest (and youngest) American ‘red hat’ a kindred spirit of Pope Francis

Aug 26, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones, Carl Bunderson

The bishop of San Diego shares Pope Francis' passion for the plight of migrants, the homeless, and the environment. Read more

Pope Francis holds an Ordinary Public Consistory in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace, May 3, 2021.

Who will vote for a new pope after Francis? A look at the cardinals by the numbers

Aug 25, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

On Aug. 27, Pope Francis will create 20 new cardinals, bringing the total number in the college to 229.  Read more

A consistory for the creation of new cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica Nov. 28, 2020.

Who are the new cardinals created by Pope Francis in 2022?

Aug 24, 2022

By Marco Mancini

There will be 16 cardinals under the age of 80 elevated at the next consistory, to be held Aug. 27.  Read more

A consistory for the creation of new cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 5, 2019.

Pope Francis has made College of Cardinals ‘less European,’ analysis shows

Jul 20, 2022

By CNA Staff

Francis' appointees now constitute 63% of the cardinals eligible to vote in a papal conclave. Read more

Bishop Lucas Van Looy, S.D.B., pictured at a Vatican press conference on the family synod, Oct. 23, 2015.

Pope Francis accepts Belgian bishop’s request not to be made a cardinal

Jun 16, 2022

By CNA Staff

Bishop Lucas Van Looy was due to receive the red hat on Aug. 27. Read more

An ordinary public consistory at the Vatican on Oct. 20, 2014.

Why this August’s extraordinary consistory of cardinals is significant

Jun 6, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The new Vatican constitution comes into force on June 5. Read more

Bishop Giorgio Marengo, Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, who will be elevated to cardinal Aug. 27, 2022.

Bishop in Mongolia will be the youngest cardinal

Jun 2, 2022

By Courtney Mares

An Italian who has served as a missionary in Mongolia for nearly 20 years will soon become the world’s youngest... Read more

Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego.

San Diego's Bishop McElroy 'deeply honored' to be named cardinal

May 31, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Bishop Robert McElroy told reporters Tuesday he was very surprised that Pope Francis had named him a cardinal, but cited... Read more

Archbishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva of Dili, who will be made a cardinal Aug. 27, says Mass April 9, 2016.

East Timor cardinal-elect 'almost fainted' when he heard Pope Francis had chosen him

May 31, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The newest — and first — cardinal-elect of the island nation of East Timor says he was completely surprised by... Read more

A consistory for the creation of new cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 5, 2019.

What message is Pope Francis sending with his choice of new cardinals?

May 30, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The pope will create 21 new cardinals on Aug. 27. Read more

Robert W. McElroy, Archbishop of San Diego speaks with participants through the fence during the 23rd Posada Sin Fronteras where worshipers gather on both sides of the US-Mexican border fence for a Christmas celebration, at Friendship Park and Playas de Tijuana in San Ysidro, California on December 10, 2016.

Bishops in US congratulate Bishop McElroy on his elevation to cardinal

May 29, 2022

By CNA Staff

Archbishops José Gomez of Los Angeles and Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco both welcomed the announcement Sunday that Bishop Robert... Read more

Bishop Robert McElroy. CNA file photo.

What to know about Bishop Robert McElroy, who will soon be a cardinal

May 29, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

McElroy has led the San Diego diocese since 2015. 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 US Bishop McElroy

May 29, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope made the announcement after the Regina Coeli. Read more

Pope Francis creates five new cardinals during a consistory in St. Peter's Basilica on June 28, 2017.

Is Pope Francis about to name new cardinals?

May 27, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The last consistory creating new cardinals was in November 2020. Read more

Cardinal Carlos Amigo Vallejo (1934-2022).

Spanish Cardinal Carlos Amigo dies at age 87 after lung surgery

Apr 27, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

He was an advocate for dialogue between Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Read more

Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán

Mexican Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán has died at the age of 89

Apr 20, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Mexican cardinal is remembered as a strong voice of opposition to abortion and euthanasia. Read more

Cardinal Luigi De Magistris (1926-2022).

Pope Francis recalls late Italian cardinal’s ‘love for the ministry of reconciliation’

Feb 16, 2022

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Luigi De Magistris died days before his 96th birthday. Read more

Chilean Cardinal Jorge Medina Estévez (1926-2021).

Pope Francis mourns ‘self-sacrificing’ cardinal who announced Benedict XVI’s election

Oct 4, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estévez died Oct. 3 at the age of 94. Read more

Cardinal Alexandre José Maria dos Santos (1924-2021).

First Mozambique-born cardinal dies at age of 97

Oct 1, 2021

By Courtney Mares

He is remembered for promoting peace amid Mozambique’s bloody civil war. Read more