Pope creates 21 new cardinals who will help him to reform church and cement his legacy

By NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is presiding over a ceremony to create 21 new cardinals. They include key figures at the Vatican and in the field who will help enact his reforms and cement his legacy. Among the new cardinals is the controversial new head of the Vatican’s doctrine office, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez. Leaders of the church in geopolitical hotspots like Hong Kong and Jerusalem, fragile communities like Juba, South Sudan. and sentimental favorites like Cordoba, Argentina, filled out the roster. The ceremony in St. Peter’s Square takes place days before Francis opens a big meeting of bishops and lay Catholics on charting the church’s future, where hot-button issues such as women’s roles in the church, LGBTQ+ Catholics and priestly celibacy are up for discussion.