VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI installed yesterday 15 new cardinals, including Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of the Philippines, in a colorful ceremony in St Peter's Square, making his initial selection of those who will one day choose his successor.

Rosales, 73, only recently succeeded the late, legendary Cardinal Jaime Sin as archbishop of Manila, the largest diocese in Asia. He has broken out on social issues in the Philippines, saying the recent landslide in the country was due to de-forestation, and called on the government to address the issue.

The thronged Vatican square was awash with color for the first consistory of Benedict's pontificate, as the 78-year-old German pope began putting his own stamp on the make-up of the Roman Catholic hierarchy almost a year after his election as pontiff.

Heralded by joyous choral music which echoed off the ancient stone of St Peter's, the pope began the ceremony with a prayer, and then read out the names of the 15 cardinals-elect, each name greeted by cheers by a flag-waving, festive crowd.

In his homily, Benedict described the college of cardinals as "truly a kind of Senate, called to cooperate closely" with the pope.

Benedict said the new cardinals should imitate Christ, and be servants to others.

"Total and generous availability to serve others is the distinctive mark of those in positions of authority in the Church, because it was thus for the Son of Man," he told them.

He said the demands of their new responsibilities would expose them to "suffering" in their role as advisors to the spiritual leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics, members of a Church buffeted by a swirl of social change. Cardinals traditionally wear red to show that they are ready to shed their blood in defense of their faith.

Twelve of the new cardinals elevated yesterday are aged under-80 and thus eligible to elect Benedict's successor in an electoral college whose strength has now been brought to 120. The total number of cardinals, including 70 over the age of 80, is now 193.

Rosales will celebrate a thanksgiving Mass with the Filipino migrants, priest and religious in Italy on March 26, Sunday, at the Sta. Maria Maggiore church.

He leads the Filipino delegation of bishops, priests and laypeople in an audience with the Pope on March 27 at the Paul VI auditorium.

Cardinal Rosales will be back in Manila on March 30. He will celebrate his Thanksgiving Mass on April 1 at 10 a.m. at the Manila Cathedral.*AFP

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