PHILADELPHIA -- Archbishop Justin Rigali said it was "a great honor'' to be named a cardinal.

The 68-year-old Rigali is the only American in a group of 31 new cardinals named Monday by Pope John Paul. They'll be elevated on Oct. 21, during the celebrations marking John Paul's 25th anniversary as pope.

Rigali has led the Archdiocese of St. Louis since 1994 and is to be installed as archbishop of Philadelphia next month.

Of the American archbishops who are also cardinals, he has the richest experience on the Vatican staff. A friend of the pope, Rigali held various Vatican positions over three decades before being sent to St. Louis.