Pope Francis has announced he will appoint 21 new cardinals of the global Catholic Church in an unexpected push to influence the powerful group of churchmen who will one day choose his successor.
The ceremony to install the new appointees, known as a consistory, will be held on December 8, the 87-year-old Pope announced during his weekly noon-time prayer with pilgrims and tourists in St Peter's Square on Sunday.
It will be the 10th consistory called by the Pope since his election 11 years ago as the first pontiff from Latin America.
Although popes can choose to appoint cardinals at any time, Francis's decision to make new appointments now comes as something of a surprise.
The Pope announced the appointment date during his traditional weekly prayer in St Peter's Square. (AP PHOTO)
As of the Pope's announcement, there were 122 cardinals under 80 and able to vote in a future conclave.
Church law technically limits the number of such cardinals to 120, but recent pontiffs have frequently gone above that number.
Two of the cardinals currently able to vote in a conclave will age out by the end of the year.
A further 13 will cross the threshold through the end of 2025.
All cardinals, regardless of their age, are allowed to take part in pre-conclave meetings, known as General Congregations, giving them a say in the type of person they think the younger cardinals should choose.
Cardinals rank second only to the Pope in the church hierarchy and serve as his closest advisers.
Due to their historical power and influence, they are still called the princes of the church, although Francis has told them not to live like royalty and to be close to the poor.