Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington became the first African American to be appointed a cardinal in the Catholic Church’s history on Saturday, November 28. Cardinal Gregory, 72, was among 13 new cardinals from 8 nations appointed by Pope Francis at a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday. The cardinal joins 229 other men who are among the Pope’s closest advisors, of which 128 can elect a future Pope, Vatican News reported. Speaking ahead of the appointment, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the appointment sent “a powerful message of hope and inclusion to the Church in the United States.” Credit: Vatican TV via Storyful
