SW News:

The Holy Father Pope Francis will bestow the red biretta and rings on 21 new cardinals during a consistory in St Peter’s Basilica on September 30. During the ceremony, the pontiff will hand over the title to each of the new cardinals. Among the new cardinals, 18 have voting rights while the rest are 80 and above thus becoming ineligible to sit in the next conclave to elect a new pope.

Dressed in their choral vestments, the 21 cardinals-elect will assemble at the Altar of the Confession in St Peter’s Basilica at 9.30 am local time. Patriarchs, archbishops and bishops comprising the pontifical chapel and having the notification to take part in the consistory will take their respective places as indicated by the pontifical master of ceremonies. As per custom, as they are called, each cardinal-elect kneels before the Holy Father when the master of ceremonies places the red zucchetto on the head of the candidate. He is followed by the pope who places the red biretta on the new cardinal’s head and gives him the ring that signifies his office and the title in writing.

On October 4, the Holy Father will preside over Holy Mass in St Peter’s Basilica during which the new cardinals will concelebrate the Mass. It is also the occasion of the opening of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of bishops.

Among the new cardinals are the prelates from the Holy Land and Hong Kong. They include Jerusalem Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, 58, and Bishop Stephen Sau-yan Chow, 64, of Hong Kong. Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, 59, of La Plata in Argentina will also receive the cardinal’s hat. He has been named the new head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.