Archbishop Vincent Nichols to be made a Cardinal

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has been created a cardinal by Pope Francis.

The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, received the symbolic red hat at a consistory ceremony in Rome.

The Archbishop was one of 19 cardinals created during the ceremony this morning at St Peter's Basilica.

Former Pope Benedict made a surprise entrance into St. Peter's Basilica to attend a ceremony at which his successor, Pope Francis, was elevating 19 prelates to the high rank of cardinal.

Benedict, who resigned a year ago, sat quietly wearing a long white overcoat in the front row along with other cardinals.

It was the first time he has attended a papal ceremony since his resignation, although he and Francis have met several times.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, is to be created a Cardinal by Pope Francis today.

Archbishop Nichols, was born in Crosby in Liverpool in 1945 and has been a priest for almost fifty years.

He is the 11th Archbishop of Westminster to be created a Cardinal.