ROME – Pope Francis on Sunday announced a consistory in December for the creation of 21 new cardinals from all over the world, representing yet again the pope’s love of the peripheries and his inclination to reward key allies.
Speaking during his Oct. 6 Angelus address, the pope announced that “on December 8, a consistory will be held for the creation of new cardinals.” Dec. 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception on the church’s calendar and a public holiday in Rome, widely seen as the beginning of the Christmas season.
