Pope Francis appoints Archbishop Wilton Gregory as first Black cardinal

Pope Francis named 13 new cardinals Sunday, Wilton Gregory among them.

The Pope said a ceremony will be held Nov. 28 to confirm the appointments.

Gregory, 73, is to be the first Black dignitary to earn the title.

“With a very grateful and humble heart, I thank Pope Francis for this appointment which will allow me to work more closely with him in caring for Christ’s Church,” Gregory said in a statement.

Francis chose him as archbishop to oversee the Washington, D.C. diocese last year after former Cardinal Donald Wuerl was accused of mishandling sexual abuse cases. Gregory has been known as one of the leading American bishops advocating for the prevention of child sexual abuse.

It is common for archbishops of the U.S. capital city to be elevated to cardinal.

Gregory previously served as archbishop of Atlanta and as former president of the U.S. Bishops' Conference.

Gregory is among nine men named as cardinals Sunday who are under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote in the next conclave to elect Francis' successor.

“The new cardinals chosen by Francis reflect his priorities, making it more likely that the college will elect someone like him,” New York Times reporter Jason Horowitz wrote Sunday.

Read more at The Washington Post and The New York Times.

>> Read more trending news

On Air95.3 and 101.1 FM The Eagle - Dayton's 80's Station Logo

More From 95.3 & 101.1 The Eagle

A Look At Some Of The Biggest Albums With The Artists Who Recorded Them


Feel Good Stories

mobile apps

Everything you love about eagledayton.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!