(Vatican Radio) The Holy See Press Office has confirmed 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 Rev. Federico Lombardi, SJ, the head of the Press Office.
The
Consistory will be on the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, February 22, 2014. Pope
Francis decided to make the date known so that other meetings could be planned which
involve Cardinals from around the world.
Father Lombardi said a Meeting of
the 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 8-member
Council of Cardinals, while a meeting of the Council of the Synod will start two days
after the Consistory.
Father 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, Father
Lombardi did not bring up the subject in his statement, although in previous Consistories,
the names were usually announced a few weeks in advance.