I see this as a great honour for the Catholic Church in England and Wales

The Most Rev Cormac Murphy-O'Connor

His new title is His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster.

After discovering he was to be created a cardinal last month the archbishop said: "I see this as a great honour for the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and as a sign of the warmth that exists in the relationship between the Holy See and the Catholic community in these countries."

Senior Vatican officials, the archbishops of a number of major cities, and some distinguished theologians have been selected to join the College of Cardinals, which advises the Pope and will elect his eventual successor.

The creation of new cardinals takes place about once every three years at a meeting with the pope known as a consistory, during which they receive the red hats that are the symbol of their rank.

Many of them will be called on to take part in the conclave to elect the next pope, provided they are still under the age of 80.