Cardinal Appointments Suggest Pope's Successor Will Be Equally Progressive

Pope Francis is considering early retirement. Photo: via Reuters/VATICAN MEDIA

The Pope's successor is increasingly becoming a progressive man from Asia. or Africa after he appoints 21 new cardinals.

With the new appointments, Pope Francis will name almost three-quarters of the cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave to elect the next pope.

This will increase the chances that the cardinals will elect someone who is likely to continue their liberalization policies towards a more inclusive and progressive church, such as encouraging debate about the church's traditional view of homosexuality or contraceptives.

New cardinals are coming from countries such as the US, Italy, Argentina, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain, Colombia, South Sudan, Hong Kong, Poland, Malaysia, Tanzania and Portugal.

Next Pope

The Pope has also increased the likelihood that the next pope will be from Asia or Africa, constantly appointing cardinal electors from these continents and giving less importance than his predecessor to the countries of Europe.

Eighteen of the 21 are under 80, and they will be able to vote in a possible secret conclave to choose the next pope. They are known as cardinal electors. The remaining three, who are in their 80s, will receive a non-voting title in recognition of their years of service to the church.

A significant increase in the number of electors raises speculation that the pontiff may have been preparing for the end of his pontificate. The 86-year-old pontiff has had several health problems over the past two years.

The new cardinals include Hong Kong Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-Yang, who is considered an important link to the Catholic Church in China. , where the Vatican is trying to improve conditions for Catholics.

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, an Italian who serves as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, will also become a cardinal, highlighting Pope Francis' deep concern over the escalation of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

The consistory, or ceremony in which they will be formally appointed, will take place on September 30, the pontiff said during his midday prayer before the pilgrims in St. Peter's Square.

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