Six non - European cardinals are appointed in a ceremony at St. Peter 's Basilica . Catholic Church '200 years behind , ' Cardinal says before death . Boston Archbishop James M. Harvey is among those present . The cardinals ' main role is to elect the pope and pick his successor . ` ` A sea of faces '' in the College of Cardinals represents an inclusive church , pope says .
Six non - European cardinals are appointed in a ceremony at St. Peter 's Basilica . Boston Archbishop James M. Harvey is among those present . The cardinals ' main role is to elect the pope and pick his successor . ` ` A sea of faces '' in the College of Cardinals represents an inclusive church , pope says .