Pope Francis is trying to ensure that those who elect his successor are humble men committed to “a church of the poor and for the poor.”

Eleven of the new cardinals are under the age of 80 and so have the right to vote in the next conclave.

Both men were close to each other in life, and both are much revered by Pope Francis.

In the 10-page text, Francis presented a searing diagnosis of what had transformed this once prophetic and esteemed church in Latin America to one of the least respected.

The unprecedented decision was made on the final day of their meeting May 15-17 with Pope Francis.

“History is being made. We are at a particular moment for the universal church, not only for Chile,” one monsignor said.

Francis spoke after one of the worst days of violence in the Holy Land since 2014.

In their first meeting, Pope Francis provided the bishops with texts to pray and meditate on.

A family of six that included two young children carried out deadly attacks on three churches in Indonesia on Sunday.

In an extraordinary response to a widening sexual abuse crisis, Chilean bishops will arrive in Rome this weekend to participate in a summit called by Pope Francis, May 14 through 17.