Leo XIV has not yet named any new cardinals, but several figures have drawn early attention. Curia official Filippo Iannone, appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2025, is considered the clearest candidate, as major dicastery prefects traditionally receive red hats. Regional sees across Latin America, Africa, and Asia are also expected to feature prominently. European dioceses like Milan and Paris remain closely watched. The full picture of Leo XIV‘s priorities runs deeper than any single name.
Why Hasn’t Leo XIV Named Any Cardinals Yet?
Since becoming pope, Leo XIV has not announced any new cardinal appointments, and he has said publicly that he has not yet “decided when new cardinals will be appointed.” That openness on timing reflects deliberation rather than delay.
His first extraordinary consistory centered on synodality, evangelization, and missionary identity rather than personnel decisions. The consistory developed in three sessions spread over two days, with working groups formed and collective reports emerging in the plenary assembly.
Analysts note he may also want to avoid expanding an already oversized College of Cardinals, which Francis had pushed beyond the traditional 120-elector limit.
A second consistory is planned roughly six months later, suggesting Leo XIV prefers a phased, consultative approach before distributing red hats. Before his election, Leo XIV served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, giving him an unusually deep familiarity with episcopal candidates around the world.
He appears motivated by concerns for servant leadership and accountability as he shapes the College.
Which Curia Officials Are Closest to Leo XIV’s First Red Hat?
Among the Curia officials most likely to receive a red hat at Leo XIV’s first consistory, Filippo Iannone stands out as the clearest candidate. Leo XIV appointed him prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2025, a post traditionally followed by cardinalatial promotion. This role aligns with baptism’s theme of entrance into the community as a public sign of incorporation.
Three reasons explain his visibility:
- Curial prefects heading major dicasteries ordinarily receive the red hat.
- His office shapes bishop selections worldwide.
- He also leads the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Víctor Manuel Fernández and Konrad Krajewski remain influential Curia figures, though both already hold red hats, placing Iannone ahead in current reporting. Another figure drawing attention is Archbishop Anthony Randazzo, who serves as prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts and has been named among possible curia targets for cardinalatial elevation. Iannone previously led the Dicastery for Legislative Texts himself, where he oversaw the 2023 update of Vos Estis Lux Mundi, the Church’s landmark framework for reporting clerical misconduct.
Latin America, Africa, and Asia: The Regional Picks to Watch
Latin America, Africa, and Asia have collectively supplied a large share of recent red-hat recipients, and Leo XIV’s first consistory will likely continue that pattern.
Latin America added five cardinals in December 2024, bringing its total to 24, with sees like Lima, Santiago de Chile, and Porto Alegre remaining visible candidates. The region’s prominence also raises questions about religious authenticity in public ministry and the need for inward transformation among leaders.
Africa, home to 18 cardinal-electors before the 2024 conclave, often draws selections toward dioceses showing strong local growth.
Asia contributed four cardinals in 2024 alone, including figures from Tokyo and Kalookan.
Together, these regions reflect a Church increasingly oriented toward the global South. Figures such as Francis Xavier Kovithavanij of Bangkok have been cited as candidates consistent with that broader emphasis on peripheral Churches. Pope Francis’s February consistory drew new cardinals from 14 countries and every continent, underscoring a pattern of global representation that successive pontiffs have built upon.
Milan, Paris, and Madrid: Europe’s Cardinal Frontrunners
While Latin America and Asia have drawn much of the recent attention in cardinal appointments, three European sees—Milan, Paris, and Madrid—remain closely watched as Leo XIV begins shaping the College of Cardinals.
Each presents a different situation:
- Milan – Archbishop Delpini turned 75 in July 2026, making succession likely by mid-2027.
- Paris – Archbishop Ulrich approaches retirement age, but no appointment is confirmed.
- Madrid – Cardinal Cobo already holds a red hat, leaving fewer openings.
Among the three, Milan currently appears the most likely European candidate for Leo XIV’s earliest red-hat decisions. The shortlist of succession candidates is being prepared by the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Edgar Peña Parra, drawing on recommendations from the Lombard bishops. Delpini has confirmed he will continue governing the archdiocese at least until Leo XIV accepts his resignation, with the 2026–2027 pastoral year scheduled to proceed as usual. Christians are reminded to balance attention to such appointments with hope and moral readiness in the life of the Church.
What Kind of Bishop Does Leo XIV Reward First?
What kind of bishop Leo XIV rewards first may reveal more about his papacy than any single doctrinal statement.
Early signals suggest he favors institutional figures with canonical competence, administrative reliability, and genuine pastoral credibility.
His stated priorities — evangelization, care for creation, hospitality toward the marginalized — sketch a “Good Shepherd” standard rather than a factional checklist.
He appears uninterested in ideological showpieces on either side.
Bishops who combine legal precision with closeness to local churches, who support reform without rupture, and who build bridges across theological camps seem best positioned when Leo XIV’s first consistory arrives. His appointment of Bishop Filippo Iannone as prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops signals that canonical expertise and institutional experience will weigh heavily in how he shapes the Roman Curia. His forthcoming encyclical, expected to address artificial intelligence and peace, suggests he is also prepared to engage sweeping structural questions about labor, technology, and human dignity in the tradition of Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum. A leader shaped by servant leadership principles would likely prioritize pastors who exemplify humility and care for their flock.
