SAN DIEGO — San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy was elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis on Saturday in Vatican City.
Despite a long Catholic history, it marks the first time San Diego has had a cardinal and could raise the importance of the city among the faithful. McElroy, 68, was the only new cardinal from the U.S. named by Pope Francis.
Now that he has his red cardinal's hat (called a biretta) and signet ring, he can be among the group to select the next pope when the time comes. He said he should be traveling to the Vatican about four times a year but spending the rest of the time in San Diego.
