ROME – Pope Francis said Sunday that Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington will be promoted to cardinal, making him the first African-American to hold the post.
The archbishop is one of 13 new cardinals announced Sunday.
For the United States, the most notable ation is Archbishop Gregory, who led the Roman Catholic Church’s response to the crisis of sexual exploitation in the early 2000s and occupied a diocese led by Theodore McCarrick and Donald Viral. That crisis.
Last year, Pope Francis stripped Mr. McCarrick of his lead role and then of his position as pastor, following allegations of sexual harassment against him that the church considered credible.
Cardinal Wurley left the position in Pittsburgh under a cloud of controversy amid allegations that he failed to stop abuse decades ago in his diocese.
Archbishop Gregory, who served for years in the diocese of Atlanta, was a U.S. citizen. Bishops is also a former president of the Conference Conference and is considered to be in line with Francis’ most pastoral and welcoming approach in the church.
The ceremony to install the new cardinals is scheduled for November 28. Nine of the 13 men nominated on Sunday are under the age of 80 and are therefore eligible to participate in the next conclave to elect Francis ’successor. The new cardinals chosen by Francis reflect his priorities, making it likely that the college will choose someone like him.
