Pope Benedict XVI announced Washington’s Archbishop Donald Wuerlarch as one of two Americans to be named a cardinal on Wednesday. The key job of the cardinals is to elect the pontiff and serve as close advisers to the pope.
A celebratory Mass was held a Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington on Wednesday morning. Wuerl is the fifth archbishop of Washington to become a cardinal. In 2008, he hosted Benedict’s visit to Washington.
All 24 new cardinals will be formally recognized at a ceremony in Rome on Nov. 20.
