On Saturday, 21 men from around the world will receive the "red hat" from Pope Francis and become cardinals. The new cardinal-elects, who join the over 200 cardinals that act as the pope's main advisers, come from 18 countries. Among the most notable names is Father Timothy Radcliffe, the former master of the Dominican order. The English theologian has been leading spiritual retreats for both the 2023 and 2024 Synod on Synodality. Archbishop Francis Leo of Toronto, Canada, is considered among one of the pope's most significant legacy appointments in North America. The 53-year-old was appointed to lead Canada's largest diocese last year, which comprises 226 parishes where Mass is celebrated daily in 36 languages. Also included on the list is the Archbishop Dominique Mathieu of Tehran-Isfahan, a Belgian Franciscan missionary based in Iran. This appointment is likely part of Pope Francis' desire to promote dialogue with Islam and peace in the Middle East. 99-year-old former Italian Apostolic Nuncio Angelo Acerbi will become the oldest cardinal ever created. Ukrainian bishop Mykola Bychok, who ministers to Ukrainian Greek Catholics across Oceania, will become the youngest member of the College of Cardinals at 44. EWTN Vatican Journalist Benedicte Cedergren has more.
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