VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis said Sunday he will elevate 21 churchmen to the rank of cardinal in a ceremony at the Vatican this summer.
Among the churchmen tapped by the pontiff to receive the prestigious red hat will be two prelates from India and one each from Mongolia, Ghana, Nigeria, Singapore, East Timor, Paraguay, and Brazil, in keeping with Francis’ determination to have church leaders reflect the global face of the Catholic church.
Francis read out his choices at the end of his traditional Sunday greetings to the public in St. Peter’s Square. At least 16 of the new cardinals will be younger than 80 and thus eligible to vote for the next pontiff in secret conclave.
The pope said he will conduct the consistory, as the ceremony to elevate churchmen to cardinal’s rank is known, on Aug. 27.
Other new cardinals hail from France and from San Diego, California, while three are prelates who currently hold top positions at the Vatican.
Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals
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Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals
- Pope Francis read out his choices at the end of his traditional Sunday greetings to the public in St. Peter’s Square
Norway crown princess apologizes to king and queen over Epstein friendship
- “I also apologize for the situation that I have put the royal family in” Mette-Marit said
- She previously apologized for maintaining contacts, saying she displayed poor judgment
OSLO: Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologized again on Friday for her friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, one of several scandals to hit the Nordic country’s monarchy.
“I also apologize for the situation that I have put the royal family in, especially the King and Queen,” Mette-Marit said in a statement released by the royal palace.
New files related to Epstein published by the US Justice Department last week included extensive email correspondence between Mette-Marit and Epstein after he was found guilty of child sex crimes in 2008.
Mette-Marit, the spouse of Harald’s son Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne, previously apologized for maintaining contacts, saying she displayed poor judgment.
Norway’s prime minister on Monday said that Mette-Marit, and other prominent Norwegians who were named in the latest Epstein documents published, should provide more details about their involvement with Epstein.
Norway’s royal family is already dealing with several challenges. Marius, Mette-Marit’s son from a relationship predating her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, is currently on trial for rape and domestic violence.
