Pope appoints archbishop as cardinal

Vincent Nichols will be made a cardinal at the next consistory on February 22, the Catholic Church in England and Wales confirmed.

Archbishop Vincent said: “I am deeply moved by the honour conferred upon the Catholic Church in England and Wales and on the Diocese of Westminster in my appointment as Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis.

“The Catholic Church in our countries has always had a profound and loving loyalty to the Holy Father, the successor of St Peter. This appointment enables me, on behalf of all, to serve the Pope in a direct and prolonged way.

“Personally, this is a humbling moment when I am asked to take a place in this service of the Holy See and in the line of much loved Cardinal Archbishops of Westminster.

“I seek the blessing of Almighty God for these new responsibilities and I ask for the prayers of all people of faith that I may fulfil them with energy and devotion.”

The announcement came during Pope Francis’ Angelus in St Peter’s Square in Rome yesterday, in which he created 15 more elector cardinals and three non-elector cardinals.

Archbishop Vincent is the 11th Archbishop of Westminster to be named as cardinal.

He will receive the red wide brimmed “galero” hat on the Feast of St Peter in Rome at the next consistory of cardinals.

The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu said: “This is wonderful news both for Archbishop Vincent personally and for the Roman Catholic Church in England & Wales.

“During my time serving alongside Archbishop Vincent in Birmingham I was able to witness first hand his passion and commitment for the Church and I am delighted to see that both of these have been recognised”.