In light of Pope Francis recently appointing 21 new cardinals, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, of the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issued a statement in which he congratulated them. 

Two of the names on the list are from the United States. The U.S. appointees include Archbishop Robert Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and a native of Chicago, and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, who serves as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. The fact that they were chosen indicates a recognition of their roles and the contributions they have made within the Catholic Church, the USCCB said.

“Please join me in praying for Cardinal-designate Prevost and Cardinal-designate Pierre as they continue their lives of service to the universal Church,” Broglio said in his statement. "For the Church in the United States, their ministry has been a true blessing. Our episcopal conference rejoices in this sign of recognition of these distinguished Churchmen.” 

Prevost and Pierre are scheduled to be ceremoniously elevated on Sept. 30. The rank of cardinal is the second-highest rank within the Church, with only the pope above it. The list of newly appointed cardinals includes a group of archbishops, bishops, and fathers hailing from Italy, Argentina, Venezuela, Poland, Spain, South Africa, and other nations. 

Other Catholics also commented on the appointments.

"Congratulations to all, in particular to Cardinal-designate Prevost, a former member of @cmsmtweets, and to the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, Cardinal-designate Pierre!," Fr. Frank Donio, founding director of the Catholic Apostolate Center, said in a Twitter post. 

"Thank you, Pope Francis, for giving Southern Africa a second Cardinal so that the voice of the Church in this Region will continue to be heard!" Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of South Africa, said on Twitter. "Congratulations to Cardinal Elect Stephen Brislin. God be with you even more strongly!” 

Pope Francis has named 121 cardinals from more than 60 countries since becoming pope in 2013. That accounts for approximately 67% of all appointed cardinals during his tenure, the Catholic News Agency said in a report.  

The significant percentage of cardinals chosen under Pope Francis is attributed primarily to the fact that several cardinals have reached the age of 80 and have had to retire. As a result, Pope Francis has found it necessary to make additional appointments in order to uphold the current size of the College of Cardinals.

Pope John Paul II has named the largest number of cardinals, as 40 voting-eligible cardinals were appointed under his papacy. The second-largest consistory in terms of new cardinal appointments took place in 1969 under Pope Paul VI, where 33 cardinals were added to the College, The Pillar said in a report.