Pope Francis has named Peter Okpaleke, Catholic bishop of Ekwulobia, Anambra state, among 21 new cardinals of the church.
Gatekeepers News reports that the pope disclosed on Sunday at the conclusion of the Regina Coeli, a prayer said by Catholics during the Easter season of the church.
The college of cardinals is a body of senior priests who support the pope in overseeing the affairs of the church, and they also vote during papal elections.
According to Pope Francis, he will hold a consistory — a meeting of the council of cardinals — on the new cardinals in August.
The pope said he will meet with the new cardinals in August for discussions on church matters.
Pope said: “On Saturday, 27 August, I will hold a Consistory for the creation of new Cardinals. Let us pray that they will help me in my mission as Bishop of Rome for the good of all God’s people.”
He said that on Monday and Tuesday, 29-30 August, he will be holding a meeting with all the cardinals to reflect on the new Apostolic Constitution Praedicate evangelium.
The College of Cardinals currently consists of 208 Cardinals, of whom 117 are electors and 91 non-electors. By the 27th of August, the number will grow to 229 Cardinals, of whom 131 will be electors.
Eight of the newly named Cardinals are from Europe, six from Asia, two from Africa, one from North America, and four from Central and Latin America.
Opaleke is the fourth cardinal from Nigeria. Others are John Onaiyekan, Anthony Okogie and Francis Arinze.
