In a significant announcement during his Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis revealed that a Consistory will be held on December 8, 2024, to create 21 new Cardinals. This date coincides with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a major celebration in the Catholic Church, and will take place in the Vatican.

This upcoming Consistory will precede the much-anticipated 2025 Jubilee of Hope, highlighting the Church’s commitment to unity and renewal. It follows the recent consistory held on September 30, 2023, which instituted new Cardinals just before the First Session of the Synod on Synodality.

Pope Francis emphasized the global representation of the Cardinal-elects, underlining the Church’s universal mission. He stated, "Their origins express the universality of the Church, which continues to proclaim God's merciful love to all people on earth." By including Cardinals from diverse regions, the Consistory showcases the vital connection between the papacy and various local churches around the world.

The Holy Father requested the faithful to join him in prayer for the future Cardinals, asking that they support his ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of all believers. "Let's pray for the new Cardinals, that by confirming their adherence to Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest, they may assist me in my mission," he said.

With this latest announcement, the College of Cardinals will expand to a total of 256 members, with 141 of these Cardinals eligible to vote in papal elections. This enlargement reflects the Church’s evolving leadership and its ongoing global engagement.

Meet the Future Cardinals:

The new Cardinals come from a variety of countries and backgrounds, signalling a renewed commitment to global Catholicism. Here’s a closer look at who they are:

1. H.E. Msgr. Angelo Acerbi, Apostolic Nuncio 2. H.E. Mgr. Carlos Gustavo CASTILLO MATTASOGLIO, Archbishop of Lima (Peru) 3. H.E. Msgr. Vicente BOKALIC IGLIC, Archbishop of Santiago del Estero (Argentina) 4. H.E. Msgr. Luis Gerardo CABRERA HERRERA, Archbishop of Guayaquil (Ecuador) 5. H.E. Msgr. Fernando Natalio CHOMALÍ GARIB, Archbishop of Santiago de Chile (Chile) 6. Archbishop Tarcisio Isao KIKUCHI, S.V.D., Archbishop of Tokyo (Japan) 7. H.E. Msgr. Pablo Virgilio SIONGCO DAVID, Bishop of Kalookan (Philippines) 8. H.E. Msgr. Ladislav NEMET, S.V.D., Archbishop of Beograd-Smederevo (Serbia) 9. H.E. Msgr. Jaime SPENGLER, O.F.M., Archbishop of Porto Alegre (Brazil) 10. H.E. Mgr. Ignace BESSI DOGBO, Archbishop of Abidjan (Ivory Coast) 11. H.E. Mgr. Jean-Paul VESCO, O.P., Archbishop of Alger (Algeria) 12. H.E. Mgr. Paskalis Bruno SYUKUR, O.F.M., Bishop of Bogor (Indonesia) 13. H.E. Msgr. Dominique Joseph MATHIEU, O.F.M. Conv., Archbishop of Tehran Ispahan (Iran) 14. H.E. Msgr. Roberto REPOLE, Archbishop of Turin (Italy) 15. H.E. Msgr. Baldassare REINA, Auxiliary Bishop of Rome 16. H.E. Msgr. Francis LEO, Archbishop of Toronto (Canada) 17. H.E. Msgr. Rolandas MAKRICKAS, Archpriest Coadjutor of the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major 18. H.E. Mgr. Mykola BYCHOK, C.S.R., Bishop of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul in Melbourne (Australia) 19. R.P. Timothy Peter Joseph RADCLIFFE, O.P., renowned theologian 20. R.P. Fabio BAGGIO, C.S., Under Secretary of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development 21. Mgr. George Jacob KOOVAKAD, Official of the Secretary of State

This Consistory not only signifies a critical moment for the Church but also offers an opportunity to witness the diversity and vitality of Catholic leadership worldwide. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach this significant ecclesiastical event!