Pope Francis created 19 new cardinals Saturday in a ceremony in the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica -- the first such appointments since he was elected pontiff last March.
The new cardinals come from countries around the world, hailing from as far afield as Brazil, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, South Korea and Haiti.
The pope presented them with the traditional biretta, or red cap, and ring at a formal ceremony called a public consistory.
The scarlet color of the cap symbolizes the cardinals' willingness to die for their faith.
Looking frail, Benedict, the Pope Emeritus, lined up with the existing cardinals for the ceremony in the historic church.
When last year he became the first pope in almost six centuries to stand down, Benedict said he would live a life of seclusion and study.
His presence in St. Peter's Basilica alongside that of Francis and the cardinals who will one day vote for his successor is a highly unusual event.
Francis spoke
Sixteen of the new cardinals are under the age of 80, making them eligible to elect a new pope when the time comes, according to Vatican Radio.
Three of them are over age 80 and "are chosen for their distinguished service" to the Vatican and the Roman Catholic Church, it said.
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