Pope Francis announced the appointment of 21 new cardinals to the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday. This includes the Belgian Luc Van Looy (80), the former bishop of Ghent. That writes ‘Vatican News’, the news portal of the Holy See.
Luc Van Looy became bishop in Ghent on February 1, 2004 and was able to retire in 2019, after a three-year search for a successor. Van Looy is a man of the world. Before becoming a bishop, he visited 112 countries, including as a missionary. He had a very open view of the faith and the Church during his time as bishop. He also modernized the faith, including by letting young people email him.
Van Looy will not be given the right to vote in the election of a new pope. So it’s more of an honorary title. Van Looy is a Salesian and born in Tielen.
Cardinals are the second most senior in the Church after the Pope. The clergy will be officially sworn in on August 27.
Their appointment again leaves a mark on the future of the Church. Of the 21 new cardinals, 16 are under the age of 80. This means that they can vote on the succession to Pope Francis, after his death or resignation.
The Roman Catholic Church currently has 208 cardinals, 117 of whom have the right to vote. The last time the Pope swore in new cardinals was in November 2020. From August 27, that number will grow to 229 cardinals, 131 of whom are voting.
Eight of the new cardinals are from Europe, six from Asia, two from Africa, one from North America and four from Central and Latin America.
The last time the Pope swore in new cardinals was in November 2020.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.