New cardinals will be named soon, Pope reveals

October 03, 2016

Pope Francis plans to hold a consistory and name new members of the College of Cardinals soon, he told reporters during an in-flight press conference on October 2.

Answering a question from an Italian journalist, the Pontiff said that three possible dates have already been proposed for the consistory. “I need to choose,” he added, indicating that he would make a decision soon.

One of the proposed dates in the first Sunday of Advent, November 27, the Pope said. Other possible dates, he said, would be late this year or early in 2017.

Pope Francis mentioned that there are 13 openings for new cardinals who could vote in a papal conclave. Pope Paul VI set a limit of 120 cardinal-electors, and there at the moment there are 111 cardinal-electors. However, four cardinals who are now electors will celebrate their 80th birthdays , thus becoming ineligible to vote in a conclave, before the November 27 date.

The Pope usually announces the consistory, and names the prelates who will be receiving their red hats, a month or more before the event.

 

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Further information:

• Full text: Pope Francis' in-flight press conference from Azerbaijan (CNA)