(ANS - Vatican City) - Today, 9 July, after the Angelus and reflection on the Gospel, Pope Francis announced the convocation of the Consistory for 30 September next for the appointment of 21 new Cardinals. Among the names of the new Cardinals was Rev. Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, the Rector Major of the Salesians.

The appointment of Fr Ángel Fernández Artime is a sign of the trust and hope that the Holy Father Pope Francis places in Fr Ángel and the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The inclusion of the new Cardinals in the diocese of Rome also manifests the inseparable bond between the See of Peter and the particular Churches spread throughout the world. Their provenance expresses the universality of the Church that continues to proclaim God's merciful love to all people on earth.

The Holy Father concluded the audience by inviting everyone to pray for the new Cardinals: "Let us pray for the new Cardinals, that by confirming their adherence to Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest (cf. Heb 2:17), they may help me in my ministry as Bishop of Rome for the good of all God's faithful people".

Fr Ángel was born on 21 August 1960 in Gozón-Luanco, Asturias, Spain. He made his first profession on 3 September 1978, made his perpetual vows on 17 June 1984 in Santiago de Compostela and was ordained a priest on 4 July 1987 in León.

Originally from the Province of León, he holds a degree in Pastoral Theology and a Licence in Philosophy and Pedagogy. He was Delegate for Youth Pastoral, Director of the school in Ourense, member of the Provincial Council and Vice Provincial, and from 2000 to 2006 Provincial.

He was Provincial Delegate for Youth Ministry, Rector of the School atf Ourense, a member of the Provincial Council and Vice Provincial, and from 2000-2006 he was the Provincial Superior.

After being part of the Preparatory commission which prepared the 26th General Chapter in 2009, he was appointed Provincial of South Argentina, based in Buenos Aires. In this capacity he also got to know and work personally with the then Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, today Pope Francis.

On 23 December 2013, he was appointed Superior of the new Province of Mediterranean Spain, dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. But before he could take on this new role, on 25 March 2014 he was elected by General Chapter 27 as the new Rector Major of the Salesian Congregation and the 10th Successor of Don Bosco. On 11 March 2020, he was confirmed by the General Chapter 28 as the Rector Major of the Salesians for the second six-year term from 2020 to 2026.

Text and Images ©ANS