A specialty shop in Rome

Above is the window of Gamarelli, tailor to the pope, cardinals and many bishops since 1798. Located in central Rome, Gamarelli can expect just shy of two dozen new customers following the pope's naming 23 new cardinals including two Americans, one the first cardinal to be named in the southern U.S.

The consistory at which these men will be made cardinals, the second of the Benedict XVI's pontificate, will be held Nov. 24, the eve of the solemnity of Christ the King.

Eighteeen of these new cardinals are under the age of 80 and thus will become the newest members of that select group which will elect the next pope.

"The new cardinals," the Pope said at the end of today's general audience, "come from various parts of the world. And the universality of the Church, with the multiplicity of her ministries, is clearly reflected in them.

"Alongside deserving prelates who work for the Holy See are pastors who dedicate their energies to direct contact with the faithful."

Two of the new cardinals are U.S. prelates: Archbishop John Patrick Foley, pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and Archbishop Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, Texas.

Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh, Ireland, was also named among the new cardinals. This marks the first time all-Ireland has had three cardinals at one time.

There are 6 new cardinals from Italy, 3 from Spain and 2 from Argentina. The rest come from Mexico, Iraq, Germany, Poland, France, Senegal, India, Brazil and Kenya.

Eighteen of the 23 cardinals are under 80, and thus eligible to vote in a conclave. After the Nov. 24 consistory, the College of Cardinals will have 202 members, of whom 121 will be electors.

(Full report at Zenit)