Cardinals

A bit of clarity about spectacular ‘resignation’ of German cardinal
- Jun 6, 2021
Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich has not resigned, because in the Catholic system bishops don’t get to resign of their own accord. They can submit their resignation to the pope – in fact, they’re required to do so at the age of 75 – but it’s always up to the pope whether to accept.

By John L. Allen Jr.
Pope updates Vatican judicial laws so cardinals, bishops can face trial
- Apr 30, 2021
Updating the laws that govern the Vatican’s civil judicial system, Pope Francis stated that cardinals and bishops accused of a crime can now be tried in a Vatican court.

By Junno Arocho Esteves
New Vatican thriller captures the cost of scandal
- Feb 17, 2021
Pietro Caliceti’s novel L’Opzione di Dio (“The Option of God”) describes a Vatican every bit as corrupt and vengeful as the legal outfit memorably presented by John Grisham in his 1991 thriller The Firm.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Swiss Cardinal Schwery dies at age 88
- Jan 8, 2021
Swiss Cardinal Henri Schwery, whose diocese was home to Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre’s priestly society, died Jan. 7 at the age of 88.

By Carol Glatz

Pope tells 13 new cardinals that red hat is not a career advancement
- Nov 28, 2020
Pope Francis created 13 new cardinals Saturday, including nine cardinals eligible to vote for the next pope and the first African-American cardinal in the history of the United States, Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C.

By Elise Ann Allen
New cardinal sees clear continuity between Benedict XVI, Francis
- Nov 9, 2020
Archbishop Augusto Lojudice, Siena’s new cardinal-elect, has said he sees a clear cohesion between the pontificates of Benedict XVI and Francis, with the former providing the theological concept of charity, and the latter its practical application in pastoral practice.

By Elise Ann Allen
Cardinal-designate entrusts his new ministries to newly beatified teen
- Nov 4, 2020
Cardinal-designate Marcello Semeraro did not have to look far for a heavenly patron to assist him when he took on a new job at the age of 72 and then found out 10 days later that he would be made a cardinal.

By Cindy Wooden
Counting cardinals: Congregations, continents represented increase
- Nov 2, 2020
With Pope Francis’ new picks for the College of Cardinals, the body will be more religious than ever — in the sense that the number of cardinals coming from religious orders will rise to 51.

By Cindy Wooden