Pope Benedict XVI: Vatican Offices

Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins Dept: Benedict presided over the ceremony Saturday in St. Peter's Basilica to formally create the new cardinals, who include the archbishops of New York, Prague, Berlin, Hong Kong and Florence, Italy, as well as the heads of some key Vatican offices, according to CBC. Cardinals are the Pope's closest aides, but only those under age 80 can take part in the election of a new pope after the death of Benedict, who turns 85 in April and pope Benedict XVI has inducted 22 new Catholic churchmen into the elite club of cardinals who will elect his successor amid signs the 84-year-old pontiff is slowing down. Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins was also among those who were officially elevated to the new role. Collins, 65, was ordained as a priest in 1973 and appointed archbishop of Toronto in 2007. Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to preside over a consistory in St. Peter's basilica at the Vatican. Andrew Medichini/Associated Press (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.