Pope Francis to appoint new cardinals in Rome ceremony

 

Haiti's first Cardinal: 'I hadn't expected it at all'

Pope Francis is due to appoint 19 new cardinals at a ceremony in Rome - the first such appointments of his papacy.

Cardinals are the most senior Roman Catholic clergymen below the pontiff.
Correspondents says the inclusion of prelates from places like Haiti and Burkina Faso reflects the Argentine Pope's commitment to the poor.
The new cardinals will receive the traditional red hat and robes at a formal ceremony known as a consistory.
Sixteen of the new appointees are under 80, making them eligible to enter a conclave to elect the Pope's successor.
The new cardinals come from 12 countries, including Spain, Italy and Germany.

Cardinals are the most senior clergymen in the Roman Catholic Church below the Pope

The cardinals wear red, the colour of blood, to symbolise their commitment to defend the church

Among them will be the head of the Catholic church in England and Wales, Archbishop Vincent Nichols.

Five are from Latin America and the Caribbean.

They will formally be inducted at a ceremony that is due to start at 11:00 local time (10:00 GMT).
The BBC's David Willey in Rome says Pope Francis' appointments are being seen as a clear attempt to share decision-making in the church.
The Pope is encouraging cardinals - old and new - to think outside the box in formulating new policies for the Catholic Church, our correspondent adds.
The new recruits will join the more than 100-strong College of Cardinals, which has been meeting in plenary session behind closed doors at the Vatican for the past two days.