Pope Francis has appointed twenty new cardinals from all over the world. In total, the college now numbers 226. This college will be discussing the Vatican constitution beginning on Monday. But there is also an unofficial agenda.
Cardinals are the second highest-ranking officials in the Roman Catholic Church after the pope and are considered top advisors.
With their appointment, Francis (85) is again leaving his mark on the future of the Church because he chooses cardinals who share his somewhat progressive views. Of the twenty new cardinals, sixteen are under the age of 80. This means that they can vote on the succession of the pope, after his death or resignation.
At present, Francis, who succeeded Benedict XVI in 2013, has elected 83 of the 132 cardinals who have the right to vote. The last time the pope swore in new cardinals was two years ago.
Oath of fidelity
The new cardinals made a profession of faith during the ceremony by reciting the Creed. They then pronounced an oath of fidelity and obedience to the pope and his successors. The Catholic News Agency reports that after that, “each cardinal approached Pope Francis, kneeling before him to receive the red birretta, the cardinal's ring, and a document naming the titular church he has been assigned.”
Pope Francis embraced each new cardinal, saying to him: “Pax Domini sit semper tecum”, which is Latin for “the peace of the Lord be with you always.” Each cardinal responded: “Amen.”
Not every cardinal was present. As the pope announced, Cardinal Baawobr from Ghana had been hospitalised and was therefore unable to attend the ceremony. Pope Francis urged his faithful to pray for the cardinal who has heart problems.
Unofficial agenda
Beginning on Monday, the Cardinals will get to work. Two days of discussions on the Vatican constitution are on the agenda, beginning on Monday. The Vatican says that 197 of the world's 226 cardinals have made it to Rome. A remarkable number, given the advanced age of the members. Only the cardinals younger than 80 -at the moment, 132 people- are eligible to participate in a conclave that selects the pope. This reports the American daily Washington Post.
According to the Post, there is also an unofficial agenda for these two days of discussion. “The cardinals need to get to know one another because whenever Francis resigns or dies, they'll have to pick his successor from among their ranks. Given the rarity of such gatherings, this is one of their best chances to huddle, size up one another, and form opinions about the future direction of the Catholic Church”, the Post writes. “It's not a casting call.
The announcements of these trips reinforced rumours that Francis is also considering stepping down. The timing of the meetings within the Vatican is also notable. Normally, it is unusual to hold consistories in August – they are generally held in February, June or November. This reports the American magazine Newsweek.
Future
The magazine speculates that the meeting starting on Monday could be an opportunity for pope Francis to announce his resignation, although no formal announcement has been made earlier about Francis' future.
Last month, Francis acknowledged that he needed to slow down or face the possibility of giving up the papacy.
“I think that at my age and with this limitation, I have to save myself a little bit to be able to serve the Church. Or, alternatively, to think about the possibility of stepping aside,” the pontiff said.
