Awarding red hats is a papal act requiring exquisite diplomacy and political tact. Ideally, a list of new cardinals should pay discreet homage to every major segment of the Roman Catholic Church: a prelate or two from major sees that traditionally require cardinal-archbishops; a sprinkling of faithful retainers from the Roman Curia; a spokesman for at least one nation that has never before had a member of the sacred college; a heroic bishop who has defended the Christian faith behind the Iron Curtain; and at least one energetic American.
Last week, when Pope Paul named 27 new cardinals, thereby...
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