College of Cardinals

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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

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