Vatican Shoots Down Female Cardinals Rumor

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Vatican Spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi has put a stop to the rumors that Pope Francis will soon appoint women cardinals.

The rumor was reportedly spurred by liberal catholics and media outlets worldwide, suggesting women could be named cardinals by Pope Francis since cardinals do not technically have to be ordained priests, according to the Huffington Post.

However, in a statement published in The Irish Times, Lombardi has said the Pope is not immediately considering women cardinals:

“This is just nonsense . . . It is simply not a realistic possibility that Pope Francis will name women cardinals for the February consistory. Theologically and theoretically, it is possible. Being a cardinal is one of those roles in the church for which, theoretically, you do not have to be ordained but to move from there to suggesting the pope will name women cardinals for the next consistory is not remotely realistic.”

 [Huffington Post]