Pope Francis Names New Cardinals at Top of Catholic Church Hierarchy

Vatican City: Pope Francis on Sunday named 20 new cardinals to the elite group at the top of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, including 15 who are under 80 and will be allowed to enter a conclave to choose his successor after his death or resignation.

They come from countries including Italy, Portugal, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Mexico, Myanmar, Thailand, Uruguay, Spain and Panama.

It was the second time the 78-year-old Francis has put his stamp on the direction he wants the 1.2 billion member Church to go, having named 19 cardinals a year ago. The new "princes