By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Peter Okpaleke, the Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese, Anambra state was among the 20 new created cardinals in Rome by Pope Francis on Saturday at St Peter’s Basilica, Rome.
Pope Francis had earlier named Okpaleke as one of the new cardinals one of whom could one day become his successor.
It is the eighth consistory since the 85-year-old Pope was elected in 2013.
The new cardinals include men known for their progressive views and their pastoral work, and they hail from different countries of the world – Brazil to Nigeria, India, Singapore and East Timor.
After Saturday’s swearing-in at St Peter’s Basilica, they will join a two-day meeting of all cardinals starting Monday.
The gathering was called earlier this year to discuss the Pope’s new constitution for the governance of the church — but has only fuelled speculation he is on his way out.
Pope Francis, who has cancelled numerous events in recent months and have been forced to use a wheelchair due to knee pain, said last month “the door is open” to stepping down.
If he follows his predecessor Benedict XVI and resign, a conclave involving all cardinals aged under 80 would be called to choose a successor.
After this weekend, Francis will have chosen around 90 out of the 132 cardinals eligible to elect a new pope, around two-thirds of the total — precisely the percentage needed for any proposed name to scale through.
