HK Bishop Chow elevated to cardinal in Vatican
Hong Kong bishop Stephen Chow was among 21 clergymen from across the world to be made cardinal at a ceremony in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City on Saturday. The ceremony was closely watched as 18 of the new cardinals - who are under the age of 80 - will be able to vote for the successor of the 86-year-old pope in the next conclave.    Known as the red-hatted "princes" of the Roman Catholic Church, cardinals serve as top administrators and advisers to the pope.  "The College of Cardinals is called to resemble a symphony orchestra, representing the harmony and synodality of the Church," Francis said in the ceremony.  "Diversity is necessary; it is indispensable. However, each sound must contribute to the common design."  The event, known as a consistory, is the ninth since Francis was elected pope by his peers in 2013.  He has since sought to create a more inclusive Church, looking past Europe to clergy in Africa, Asia and Latin America to fill the Church's highest ranks.  Besides Chow, the new cardinals include the bishop of Penang and the Vatican’s top official in the Middle East, Monsignor Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.  Chow is the fourth cardinal from the Hong Kong diocese, after the late John Baptist Wu, Joseph Zen and John Tong.  Chow, 63, was appointed bishop of Hong Kong in May 2021. He's the first bishop to visit Beijing since the SAR's return to the motherland. (Additional reporting by AFP/Reuters)