Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Benedict XVI this morning named 22 cardinals-designate and announced that he will elevate them in a formal ceremony next month.

The new appointments include prelates from New York, Hong Kong, Berlin, Prague, Toronto, Florence and some key Vatican offices.

Of the 22 new cardinals, 18 are under the age of 80—raising to 125 the number of cardinals eligible to vote in a Papal conclave.

The Holy Father announced the names ‘with great joy’ this morning following the celebration of Mass on the feast of the Epiphany at St Peter’s Basilica.

Speaking to those gathered at St Peter’s Square, the Pope said he hoped the new cardinals would always be able to show their love for the Church with ‘courage and dedication.’

One of the most prominent on the list of new cardinals is Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, while the head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic rite in India was also elevated to cardinal.

Another new American cardinal is Edwin O’Brien, head of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

With the new appointments, Pope Benedict has now named more than half the cardinal electors, who will, in future, elect the new Pontiff.

Pope Benedict XVI will convene a consistory of cardinals on February 17 and the ceremony to install the new cardinals will take place on February 18.

— For a list of the 22 cardinals-designate, in the order in which Pope Benedict XVI announced them today, click here.

—martin@sconews.co.uk