Pope Francis names first Black American among 13 new cardinals in surprise announcement

Pope Francis on Sunday named 13 new cardinals, including Washington D.C. Archbishop Wilton Gregory, who will become the first Black U.S. prelate to earn the coveted red hat.

In a surprise announcement to faithful in St. Peter’s Square, Francis said the churchmen would be elevated to cardinal’s rank in a ceremony on Nov. 28.

Other new cardinals include an Italian who is the long-time papal preacher at the Vatican, the Rev. Raniero Cantalamessa, a Franciscan friar; the Kigali, Rwanda, Archbishop Antoine Kambanda; The Capiz, Philippines, Archbishop Jose Feurte Advincula, and the Santiago, Chile, Archbishop Celestino Aos.

Wilton was picked by Francis to lead the prestigious diocese in the U.S.
capital last year. He served three times as the head of the U.S. Conference of Bishops.

New cardinals under the age of 80 will join fellow cardinals eligible to elect the next pontiff in a secret conclave.

No details were immediately given by the Vatican about the consistory, as the formal ceremony to make the churchmen cardinals is known, especially in view of travel restrictions involving many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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