By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis is to elevate five Roman Catholic prelates from outside Italy and the Vatican to the rank of cardinal, the elite group of churchmen who are his closest advisers and can enter a conclave to choose his successor. The pope, making the surprise announcement during his weekly Sunday address, said the men came from Mali, Spain, Sweden, Laos and El Salvador. The fact that none of the five are Italian and none hold Vatican positions underscores Francis' conviction that the Church is a global institution that should become increasingly less Italian-centric.
By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis is to elevate five Roman Catholic prelates from outside Italy and the Vatican to the rank of cardinal, the elite group of churchmen who are his closest advisers and can enter a conclave to choose his successor. The pope, making the surprise announcement during his weekly Sunday address, said the men came from Mali, Spain, Sweden, Laos and El Salvador. The fact that none of the five are Italian and none hold Vatican positions underscores Francis' conviction that the Church is a global institution that should become increasingly less Italian-centric.
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