More Cardinals, But Not the Kind from Missouri

Pope Benedict XVI announced the appointment of 23 new cardinals** today, 2 of which are American. The appointment of a cardinal from Galveston, TX prompted speculation that the Pope is trying to reach out to the Latino Catholic community, aka the most substantial portion of the global Catholic community.

Perhaps the more interesting part of this development is that only 18 of the 23 new cardinals are under the age of 80, the second threshold requirement for being able to vote for a new Pope. (A cardinal must be under 80 on the day of the new election.)

Allegedly reaching out to Latinos? Appointing 18 non-octagenarian cardinals? Looks like the Vatican is trying to keep up with its people and maybe even stepping into the 19th century. What next? Tolerating European Jews?

** FYI: Cardinals aren't that different from regular clergymen, but are individually appointed as cardinals by the Pope. As members of the College of Cardinals, they advise the Pope when called to do so and get to vote to elect a new pope when the old pope has passed on.