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VATICAN CITY-Pope Benedict on Wednesday named 23 new Roman Catholic cardinals, including an Iraqi, two Americans and others from around the world in choices he said reflected the universal nature of the 1.1-billion-member Church.Eighteen of the 23 are under 80 years old and thus would be able to enter a conclave to elect Benedict's successor after his death. Five are over 80 and would be barred for reasons of age."Their selection well reflects the universality of the Church," Benedict told pilgrims and tourists during his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square.Cardinals, the red-hatted "princes" of the Church, are the Pope's closest aides. They lead major dioceses around the world, head Vatican departments and advise him on matters affecting everything from faith to finances.The new "cardinal electors", who are under 80 years old, come from Italy, Argentina, the United States, Germany, Poland, Spain, Ireland, France, Senegal, India, Mexico, Brazil and Kenya.The ceremony to install the cardinals, known as a consistory, will be held on Nov. 24 at the Vatican, the Pope said.One of the new cardinals is Emmanuel III Delly, an Iraqi who is Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans.Although he has just turned 80 and would not be able to enter a conclave, the honour given to Delly by raising him to the elite ranks of the Church appeared to be an attempt by the Pope to support the Christian minority in Iraq and the Middle East.http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-30035320071017?pageNumber=1
As in the days of Noah....
