Pope Francis appoints 19 new cardinals in Vatican ceremony

 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.