The Vatican announced Thursday morning that Pope Francis will name new cardinals in February.
Speculation is strong that Archbishop Blasé Cupich may be on the list to ascend as a Cardinal.
The Pope called for a Consistory of Cardinals in mid-February.
Francis will give the cardinals a progress report on Curia reform.
Then he plans to elevate new cardinals formally to the College of Cardinals.
The Vatican spokesman said up to a dozen bishops could be made cardinals.
In past years, the list was announced a month before the consistory, or about mid-January.
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Cardinal George waited more than a year before he was elevated to the influential group.
It would be somewhat unusual since Cardinal George, while retired, is still a voting member of the college until he is 80 years old.
However many Vatican watchers believe that Cupich, as the first big American appointment by Francis, is on the fast track.
