Pope Francis' selection of 19 new cardinals reflects his commitment to the poor

Pope Francis was set to create first new cardinals on Saturday, with as many as nine out of the 19 new appointments coming from outside Europe

ROME, Italy -- Pope Francis was set to raise 19 prelates to Cardinal at a ceremony held at St Peter's Basilica in Rome on Saturday. Cardinals are the most senior Roman Catholic clergymen below the pontiff.

Sixteen of the Pope's first new cardinals are under the age of 80 and can therefore take part in the secretive conclave that elects new popes from among their ranks. Half of the new cardinals are non-Europeans, including five cardinals from South America, two Africans and two Asians. Only four of the voting age cardinals are from Italy - breaking with a long held tradition.

"Becoming a cardinal is not a promotion, nor an honour or a decoration; it is simply a service which requires a broadening of the gaze and a widening of the heart," Pope Francis reportedly said in a letter to each new cardinal-to-be.

Reflecting his commitment to the poor, Pope Francis handpicked a bishop from the one of the world's poorest nations, Haiti, to be that country's very first cardinal. He also appointed a cardinal from the tiny Caribebean nation of St. Lucia - thereby giving a voice to some of the smallest realities of the Church.

With the new consistory, Vatican Radio reported Saturday, the college of Cardinals will consist of 122 cardinal electors under the age of 80 - out of a total of 218. And for the first time, representation will be evenly balanced between 61 from Europe and 61 from the rest of the world.