New Cardinals expected in February 2014

The Vatican has confirmed today that a Consistory to create new Cardinals will be held next February. Pope Francis had informed both the Council of Cardinals and the Council of the Synod of his intention earlier this month, according to statement issued by Fr Federico Lombardi, SJ, the head of the Press Office.

The Consistory will be on the Feast of the Chair of St Peter, 22 February 2014. Pope Francis decided to make the date known so that other meetings could be planned which involve Cardinals from around the world.

Fr Lombardi said a Meeting of the eight member Council of Cardinals could be expected to happen before the Consistory, as has been customary with his predecessors. Prior to this meeting, will be the third meeting of the Council of Cardinals, while a meeting of the Council of the Synod will start two days after the Consistory.

Fr Lombardi said a meeting of the 15 Member Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organisational and Economic Problems of the Holy See will also happen, as usual, in February. Although the date is not confirmed, it will probably be before the Consistory.

As for who the new Cardinals would be, Fr Lombardi did not bring up the subject in his statement, although in previous Consistories, the names were usually announced a few weeks in advance.

Source: VIS