Pope Francis Appoints 21 New Cardinals to Advance Church Reforms

The appointments further solidify the pontiff's influence on the College of Cardinals and reflect his vision for a more inclusive and diverse church.

Pope Francis has now appointed 110 of the 140 cardinals under the age of 80, significantly shaping the group that will elect his successor.
The new cardinals include figures central to Francis' reform agenda, such as Peruvian Archbishop Carlos Castillo, who has taken a strong stance against abuse and conservative movements within the church.
The appointments emphasize geographic diversity, with new cardinals from regions such as Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, reflecting the global nature of the Catholic Church.
The youngest cardinal, Mykola Bychok, a 44-year-old Ukrainian Greek Catholic leader, highlighted the significance of his appointment during ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The consistory also included Timothy Radcliffe, a prominent theologian and spiritual leader of the recent synod focused on inclusivity and addressing the needs of rank-and-file Catholics.