This will be the 9 th creation of cardinals under Pope Francis, who is in the tenth year
of his papacy.
Since becoming pope, Francis has sought to promote clergy from developing nations
far from Rome to the highest ranks of the Church, as part of his general philosophy
of diversity and inclusion.
The names the Pope announced Sunday include clergy in regions where Christianity
is growing, such as Latin America, Africa and Asia, including archbishops from Juba,
South Sudan, Cape Town, South Africa, and Tabora, Tanzania. The list also includes
bishops from Penang, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.