Pope Benedict XVI appointed 15 of his first new cardinals to help bring 'new life to the Church,' and achieve 'the full unity of Christians' during a ceremony St. Peter's Square on Friday.

Benedict spoke of his vision for his ministry during the 'consistory,' in which the newly-appointed 'princes’ of the Church received the red hats, symbolising their willingness to shed their blood for the Church.

"I am counting on you to see to it that the Church’s solicitude for the poor and needy challenges the world with a powerful statement on the civilisation of love," Pope Benedict XVI said.

"May the scarlet that you now wear always express Christ’s charity, inspiring you to a passionate love for Christ, for his church and for all humanity," he said. "I am counting on you, dear brother cardinals, to ensure that the principle of love will spread far and wide, and will give new life to the church at every level of her hierarchy."