Pope Nominates First Texas Cardinal

Texas is getting its first Roman Catholic cardinal — a nod to the influx of faithful from Mexico and Central America.

Archbishop Daniel DiNardo's appointment was to some degree unexpected, but Vatican watchers say it shows Pope Benedict XVI clearly understands where the American church is growing — and who is behind the growth.

"It says something about Texas and how wonderful Texas is in the terms of the growth of our Catholic faith," Archbishop DiNardo, leader of the Galveston-Houston archdiocese, told reporters in Houston yesterday.

Archbishop DiNardo was among 23 new cardinals appointed yesterday by Benedict, who tapped Vatican officials, academics, diplomats, and archbishops from five continents. Eighteen of the new cardinals are under age 80 and eligible to vote in a conclave; five others, including the patriarch of Baghdad, were named in recognition of their service to the church.