Cardinals choose the Pope's successor, when the time comes

Pope John Paul II has created 30 new cardinals during a colourful ceremony at the Vatican, adding to the ranks of those who will choose his successor.

The cardinals, dressed in scarlet robes, received their red hats after swearing to defend the Roman Catholic faith.

The ceremony - called a consistory - takes places about every three years.

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says this event is particularly important, given the Pope's poor state of health.

No cardinal has so far emerged as a favourite to succeed him, our correspondent adds.

The most important aspect (of the cardinal's work) is electing a new pope Keith O'Brien New appointed cardinal Keith O'Brien profile Numbers game at the Vatican

At the ceremony on St Peter's Square, each scarlet-robed cardinal knelt before the Pope before receiving his hat or biretta - the symbol of his high office.

Cardinals wear red to show they are prepared to shed their blood in defence of their faith if necessary.

Three cardinals died violent deaths during the 20th century.

In addition to those taking part in the consistory, the Pope is elevating a 31st cardinal whose name has not been released.

Diversity

The new appointments bring the body that will elect a new Pope to a record 135.

Cardinals are the most senior clerics in the Church and those under the age of 80 vote in Papal elections.

List of new cardinals

"The most important aspect (of the cardinal's work) is electing a new pope, and we don't know whether that will be in one month or five years," said Keith O'Brien, Archbishop of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, who was elevated on Tuesday.

The new cardinals come from many parts of the world and reflect what the Pope described as the variety of races and cultures which make up the Christian people.

Ghana and Sudan get their first ever cardinals and Nigeria now has two cardinal electors.

The first ever cardinal from the tribal community of India also received a red hat - as did archbishops from Vietnam, Poland, the United States and Guatemala.

Staying on

European cardinals still make up almost half of the electoral college; about one third of the members come from the developing world.

The Pope's hand is still on the helm - but for how long?

The percentage of Italians has dropped by 5% and the number of East Europeans has risen by about the same amount.

Tuesday's consistory follows of a week of 25th anniversary celebrations that exposed Pope's increasing frailty

The 83-year-old, who has Parkinson's disease and arthritis, repeatedly relied on aides to finish his speeches.

The celebrations included a silver jubilee Mass in St Peter's Square on Thursday, and the beatification of Mother Theresa of Calcutta on Sunday.

The Pope has vowed to stay on and called on Roman Catholics to pray for his continued strength to lead them.