Pope Benedict XVI announced on Friday he will hold a consistory on February 18-19 to appoint 22 new cardinals, the Ansa news agency reported.
Four of the new 'princes of the Church' will be over 80 and will therefore have no say in voting for the next pope, but 18 are younger and will take part in the naming of Benedict's successor.
Seven of the new cardinals are Italian.
Ten of the 22 are from the Roman Curia and 12 are resident in Rome. Sixteen come from Europe, including two Germans. Three come from North American countries, two from Asia and one from Brazil.
