Pope Francis names 19 new cardinals, focusing on the poor

Pope Francis AP

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has named his first batch of cardinals, choosing 19 men from Asia, Africa, North and South America and elsewhere, including Haiti and Burkino Faso, to reflect his attention to the poor.

Francis made the announcement Sunday as he spoke from his studio window to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square.

Sixteen of the appointees are younger than 80, meaning they are eligible to elect the next pope, which is a cardinal’s most important task.

The ceremony to formally install them as cardinals will be held Feb. 22 at the Vatican.