A Canadian is among 31 new cardinals named by Pope John Paul II Sunday, a group that will help select his successor.

Marc Ouellet says he is honoured by the appointment. The 59-year-old native of La Motte, Que., is the Archbishop of Quebec City and the Catholic primate of Canada.

"I am very happy because it is a sign of confidence. It is also the expression of a link between the Holy Father and the diocese and the country," said Ouellet.

Marc Ouellet
Marc Ouellet

John Paul read the list of new "princes of the church" from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square Sunday morning.

Most of the country, including Vatican City, were without electricity because of an early morning blackout. The Vatican used a backup generator provided by Italy's state television to give the 83-year-old pontiff a speaker.

Along with Canada, the pontiff named new cardinals from Nigeria, France, Sudan, Spain, Scotland, Brazil, Ghana, India, Australia, Croatia, Vietnam, Guatemala, Hungary, the United States and Italy.

The Pope did not give the name of the 31st cardinal, appointing him "in pectore," meaning close to his heart. It's a term used to protect the identities of designates in countries where the church is oppressed.

John Paul will elevate the new cardinals during a ceremony in three weeks, coinciding with his 25th anniversary celebrations.

Ouellet is Canada's fifth Roman Catholic cardinal.