VIDEO: Pope ordains Okpaleke as cardinal

Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis on Saturday ordained the Bishop of Ekwulobia, Peter Okpaleke, as one of the new cardinals – many of whom could one day choose his successor.

It is the eighth consistory since the 85-year-old Pope was elected in 2013, but is being particularly closely watched for signs of the kind of Catholic Church he hopes to leave behind.

Okpaleke was ordained by Pope Francis at the St. Peters Basilica in Vatican City alongside the 19 other appointees.

Cardinal Okpaleke is a Nigerian prelate of the Catholic Church who has been Bishop of Ekwulobia since 29 April 2020.

He became the fifth Cardinal from Nigeria. Others before him are Francis Arinze, Anthony Okogie and John Onaiyekan. He is among the 20 new Cardinals Pope Francis announced on May 29.