There are 16 'cardinals electors' and three 'cardinals emeriti'. The six electors are from Europe, four from Latin America, three from Africa, two from Asia, and one from North America. Mgr Capovilla, Pope John XXIII's former secretary, is among the emeriti. On 20 and 21 February, a Consistory all Cardinals will gather to reflect on the theme of the family.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - On 22 February, Pope Francis will ordain 19 new cardinals from 12 countries. The pope himself made the announcement today after the recitation of the Angelus.

In addition to 16 'cardinals electors,' i.e. those prelates under the age of 80 who can take part in an eventual conclave, the pontiff also named three 'cardinals emeriti', including Mgr Loris Capovilla, who was Pope John XXIII's secretary.

Six electors come from Europe, four from Latin America, three from Africa, two from Asia, and one from North America.  Interestingly, most of them, namely nine, come from the so-called south of the world: Latin America, Africa and Asia.

"As was previously announced, on February 22, the Feast of the Chair of Peter, I will have the joy of holding a Consistory, during which I will name 16 new Cardinals, who, coming from 12 countries from every part of the world, represent the deep ecclesial relationship between the Church of Rome and the other Churches throughout the world. The following day, I will preside at a solemn concelebration with the new Cardinals, while on February 20 and 21 I will hold a Consistory with all the Cardinals to reflect on the theme of the family.

"Here are the names of the new Cardinals:

1.      Mgr Pietro Parolin, Titular Archbishop of Acquapendente, Secretary of State

2.      Mgr Lorenzo Baldisseri, Titular Archbishop of Diocleziana, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops.

3.      Mgr Gerhard Ludwig Műller, Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Regensburg, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

4.      Mgr Beniamino Stella, Titular Archbishop of Midila, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy.

5.      Mgr Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster (Great Britain).

6.      Mgr Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano, Archbishop of Managua (Nicaragua).

7.      Mgr Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec (Canada).

8.      Mgr Jean-Pierre Kutwa, Archbishop of Abidjan (Ivory Coast).

9.      Mgr Orani João Tempesta, O. Cist., Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

10.  Mgr Gualtiero Bassetti, Archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve (Italy).

11.  Mgr Mario Aurelio Poli, Archbishop of Buenos Aires (Argentina).

12.  Mgr Andrew Yeom Soo jung, Archbishop of Seoul (Korea).

13.  Mgr Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, S.D.B., Archbishop of Santiago del Cile (Chile).

14.  Mgr Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo, Archbishop of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

15.  Mgr Orlando B. Quevedo, O.M.I., Archbishop of Cotabato (Philippines).

16.  Mgr Chibly Langlois, Bishop of Les Cayes (Haïti).

 "Together with them, I will join to the Members of the College of Cardinals three Archbishops emeriti distinguished for their service to the Holy See and to the Church.

"They are:

1.      Mgr Loris Francesco Capovilla, Titular Archbishop of Mesembria.

2.      Mgr Fernando Sebastián Aguilar, C.M.F., Archbishop emeritus of Pamplona.

3.      Mgr Kelvin Edward Felix, Archbishop emeritus of Castries.

"Let us pray for the new Cardinals, that vested in the virtues and the sentiments of the Lord Jesus (Rm, 13-14), the Good Shepherd, they might be able to help more effectively the Bishop of Rome in his service to the universal Church."

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