Pope sends strong message in naming 12 new cardinals

POPE Benedict XVI named a first batch of cardinals to elect his successor yesterday, sending strong political messages with nominations in Hong Kong and Venezuela and promoting two Americans with experience in the Church sex abuse scandal.

Benedict named 15 new "princes" of the Church during his weekly general audience, 12 of whom are under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote in a conclave to elect the next Pope.

He said the prelates, who also include Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, Pope John Paul II's longtime private secretary, would receive their red hats on March 24.