Pope Francis will today create 13 new cardinals, although due to the Covid-19 restrictions two of those due to receive red hats will not be in Rome. Bishop Cornelius Sim of Brunei and Archbishop Jose Advincula of Capiz, in the Philippines, will be handed the cardinal’s regalia by a representative of the Pope.

Rome is normally in celebratory mode when new cardinals are created. Not so on this occasion. Most cardinals will be logging in to watch the event online. The stripped-down consistory points to the uncertainty that the world and the Church still faces. And it comes just under three weeks before the Pope turns 84, a reminder that time is not on his side.

The Jesuit Pope is not planning on leaving office any time soon – he is ramping up his work rate rather than slowing down. But the pre-conclave manoeuvres rumble on. After today, Francis will have appointed 57 per cent of the cardinals who will elect his successor, a significant proportion. Yet a powerful faction – which includes some bishops and cardinals – is still trying to neutralise the Francis reforms. They murmur that while the Pope may be connecting with many of those outside the Church, he is “confusing” faithful Catholics.