The Belgian bishops’ conference issued a statement June 16 announcing the decision and thanking Bishop Van Looy for making the request.
Belgian bishop asks pope not to make him a cardinal
An outpouring of support for first African American cardinal-designate for U.S.
Cardinal-designate Wilton D. Gregory named the first African American cardinal in the U.S. during a time when the U.S. faces increasing social strife.
Congo’s cardinal-designate has lifelong passion for human rights
Pope Francis announced Sept. 1 that Archbishop Ambongo, 59, of the Congo, would be one of 13 new cardinals installed at an Oct. 5 Vatican consistory.
Unassuming pastor who helped rebuild Cuban church will receive red hat
ith one of the most important Marian feasts in Cuba falling just one week after it was announced Sept. 1 that he would be made a cardinal, Cardinal-designate Juan Garcia Rodriguez said he took the news as a sign of Mary’s maternal love.
Pope offers red hat to priest whose story moved him to tears
The story of how an Albanian priest endured decades of imprisonment, torture and forced labor during his country’s communist crackdown against the church brought Pope Francis to tears.