Update with messages below – His Holiness Pope Francis has just announced the appointment of the first Gozitan Cardinal in the person of E.T. Mons. Mario Grech, Bishop Emeritus of Gozo and Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops. Pope Francis gave the details of the new Cardinals following the midday Angelus.

The news was broken on Sunday by the Gozo Diocese, saying that The Consistory of the 13 new cardinals will be held on the 28th of November. “Good luck, Eminence, and in our prayers.”

Update:

The Government in a statement, congratulated Monsignor Grech, saying that he will be the third Maltese Cardinal in history and the first Gozitan. The President of Malta, the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party also conveyed their congratulations to Bishop Grech.

The Bishops of Malta and Gozo in a statement congratulated Bishop Mario Grech on his appointment by Pope Francis as cardinal. Archbishop Charles Jude Scicluna, Bishop Anton Teuma and Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi, also congratulated the Diocese of Gozo and the family of the elected Cardinal, of this first appointment of a Gozitan cardinal. They promised him prayers to continue to serve the Universal Church according to God’s will.

Permalink: Update – Pope Francis appoints former Gozo Bishop Mario Grech as Cardinal