First Consistory Held by Pope Francis

Pope Francis held his first consistory, a formal meeting of cardinals, which marked a pivotal moment in his papacy. This event was notable not only for the appointment of new cardinals but also for the rare public appearance of Pope Francis alongside his predecessor, Benedict XVI. The consistory resulted in the creation of 19 new cardinals from various countries, reflecting the global nature of the Catholic Church. Following this consistory, Pope Francis continued to appoint cardinals, totaling 163 from 76 countries across ten consistories. As a result, a significant number of cardinals appointed by him became eligible to vote in papal conclaves, with 110 cardinals under the age of 80 at one point. This reshaping of the College of Cardinals underlines Pope Francis's influence on the future direction of the Church and its governance.