Archbishop Domenico Battalia of Naples, known as ‘Don Mimmo’, has joined the list of cardinals who will receive the red cap on December 7. Born in Calabria and Archbishop of Naples, Italy, since 2020, he is known for helping those in need. The number of new cardinals has now increased to 21, after Bishop Sukkur of Indonesia requested not to be made a cardinal.
Vatican News
Twenty-one new cardinals will assume the red hat on December 7 when Pope Francis adds a new name to the list of future cardinals, Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples, who has led the archdiocese since December 2020.
This was reported on Monday by Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican Press Office: “Pope Francis has announced that during the Liturgy of the Cardinal Creation on December 7, His Excellency Domenico Battaglia, archbishop of Naples, will be named among the new cardinals.
Following the announcement of 21 new cardinals at the end of the Angelus on October 6, the number of new cardinals was reduced by one on October 22 after Bishop Pascalis Bruno Sucur, bishop of Bogor, Indonesia, requested not to be named cardinal, citing “His desire to continue his personal development “in the service of the Church and the people of God” with the desire to deepen his priestly career.
Born in Calabria, Italy, the 61-year-old archbishop studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Seminary of Saint Pius X in Catanzaro. His priestly ordination took place on February 6, 1988. He has served as parish priest, rector and director of the diocesan office. On June 24, 2016, Pope Francis appointed him bishop.
His concern for the poor and marginalized in society is noteworthy. He worked with drug addicts from 1992 to 2016 and directed the ‘Calabria Solidarity Center’, a center linked to the Therapeutic Communities of Don Mario Picchi, of which he was national president from 2006 to 2015.
circle of cardinals
In the subsequent liturgy of cardinal creation (in consistory), in the ten years of Pope Francis’ mandate, one of the future cardinals is not elected. On December 7, the College of Cardinals will have 256 members, of which 141 will be able to vote in the election of the Pope and 115 will not be able to vote.
