As Hossu was reluctant to leave his people, the Pope created him a Cardinal only "in pectore", i.e. without publishing the fact, that was only revealed on March 5, 1973, three years after Bishop Hossu's death.
Karena Hossu enggan meninggalkan umatnya, Sri Paus menjadikannya Kardinal "in pectore", yakni tanpa dipermaklumkan, dan penunjukan in pectore itu baru tersingkap pada 5 Maret 1973, tiga tahun sesudah kematian Uskup Hossu.