San Salvador, El Salvador, Jun 21, 2017 / 02:01 am
Pope Francis' decision to elevate Bishop José Gregorio Rosa Chávez is unprecedented: not only is he the first Salvadoran cardinal, he is also the first auxiliary bishop to be given a red biretta.
The cardinal-elect, who will receive the honor at a June 28 consistory, is also well-known for his close collaboration with Blessed Oscar Romero, an Archbishop of San Salvador who was martyred in 1980.
Bishop Rosa, 74, has been auxiliary bishop of San Salvador since 1982.
The Pope's May 21 announcement of a consistory to create five new cardinals came as surprise to many, though possibly none more than Bishop Rosa.