Ethan Walker
Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church's clergy, serving as advisors to the pope. They are typically ordained bishops and are chosen by the pope, who also ordains them. Cardinals are usually appointed to roles overseeing departments of the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Catholic Church. They are also required to lead either a diocese, a group of churches or territory, or an archdiocese, a large diocese. As of 4 July 2025, there were 250 cardinals, 131 of whom were eligible to participate in a papal conclave. However, not all Catholic dioceses have cardinals as there are no strict criteria for elevation to the College of Cardinals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Cardinals | 250 as of 4 July 2025 |
| Cardinal Electors | 131 as of 4 July 2025 |
| Cardinal Bishops | Most senior: Giovanni Battista Re |
| Vice Dean: Leonardo Sandri | |
| Cardinal Priests | Most senior: Michael Michai Kitbunchu |
| Cardinal Deacons | Lowest rank of Cardinals |
| Cardinal Protopriest | Michael Michai Kitbunchu of Thailand |
| Cardinal Age Limit | 80 years |
| Cardinal Roles | Overseeing dicasteries of the Roman Curia |
| Leading dioceses and archdioceses | |
| Acting as Camerlengo (financial secretary to the Pope) | |
| Electing a new Pope | |
| Cardinal Criteria | Must be at least a priest |
| Canon law requires them to be consecrated as bishops before they are made cardinals |
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What You'll Learn
- Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church
- Cardinals are chosen by the Pope and serve as advisors
- Cardinals are typically ordained bishops and lead prominent archdioceses
- Cardinals are responsible for ensuring holy sacraments are carried out
- Cardinals elect a new Pope when the Holy See is vacant
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church
Cardinals are typically ordained bishops and hold important roles within the Church, such as leading prominent archdioceses or heading dicasteries within the Roman Curia. They are drawn from a variety of backgrounds and are appointed as cardinals in addition to their existing roles within the Church. Most cardinals are bishops and archbishops leading dioceses and archdioceses around the world, often the most prominent diocese or archdiocese in their country.
The College of Cardinals is internally divided into three orders or ranks: Cardinal Bishops, Cardinal Priests, and Cardinal Deacons. Cardinal Bishops are the highest rank, followed by Cardinal Priests, and then Cardinal Deacons. Cardinal Priests are the most numerous of the three orders and include officials of the Roman Curia, as well as Archbishops of major dioceses from around the world. Cardinal Deacons are the lowest-ranking cardinals and include officials of the Roman Curia and theologians honoured by the Pope for their contributions to the Church.
Cardinals are chosen by the Pope and formally created in a consistory, a formal meeting of the College of Cardinals. One of their foremost duties is the election of a new pope when the Holy See is vacant, following the death or resignation of the previous pope. Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to participate in the papal conclave to elect the new pope.
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Cardinals are chosen by the Pope and serve as advisors
Cardinals are senior clerics of some of the Catholic Church's most important churches, now known as titular churches. They are chosen by the Pope and serve as advisors and assistants to him as he carries out his duties as supreme pastor. Cardinals are drawn from a variety of backgrounds and are appointed as cardinals in addition to their existing roles within the Church. Most cardinals are bishops and archbishops leading dioceses and archdioceses worldwide, often the most prominent diocese or archdiocese in their country.
The Pope can make exceptions, as John Paul II did for Jesuit theologian Avery Dulles in 2001. The first cardinals were likely clerics of Rome's most important churches. Today, cardinals are chosen from bishops and archbishops of important dioceses and archdioceses. Cardinals are also chosen from priests recognised by the Pope for their service to the Church. Canon law requires them to be consecrated as bishops before becoming cardinals, but some are granted papal dispensation.
There are three orders of cardinals: Cardinal Bishops, Cardinal Priests, and Cardinal Deacons. Cardinal Priests are the most common type of cardinal and include officials of the Roman Curia and Archbishops of major dioceses from around the world. Cardinal Bishops are the smallest group of cardinals and include Cardinals who hold the most important offices in the Roman Curia and Patriarchs of Eastern Catholic Churches. Cardinal Deacons are the lowest-ranking cardinals and include officials of the Roman Curia and theologians honoured by the Pope for their contributions to the Church.
Cardinals are easily recognised by their distinctive red vestments. They are always available to the Pope and serve as his advisors and assistants. They are also responsible for electing a new Pope when the position becomes vacant.
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Cardinals are typically ordained bishops and lead prominent archdioceses
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church. They are chosen and appointed by the pope and usually hold the title for life. They are typically ordained bishops and lead prominent archdioceses.
The pope can set aside church laws and appoint cardinals at his discretion. While most cardinals are bishops, the pope may grant exceptions, as he did for theologians he wished to honour. Canon law requires that cardinals be consecrated as bishops before being made cardinals, but some are granted papal dispensation.
Cardinals are drawn from a variety of backgrounds and are appointed as cardinals in addition to their existing roles within the Church. They are usually bishops of important dioceses throughout the world, though some hold Curial positions. They are often the most prominent diocese or archdiocese in their country.
Cardinals are divided into three orders or ranks: Cardinal Bishops, Cardinal Priests, and Cardinal Deacons. Cardinal Priests are the most numerous of the three orders. They include officials of the Roman Curia and Archbishops of major dioceses from around the world. Cardinal Bishops are the smallest of the three ranks. They hold the title, as opposed to the actual office, of the seven dioceses surrounding Rome, called the suburcarian (suburban) Sees of Rome.
In the United States, there are 194 archdioceses/dioceses, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, reorganised by Pope John Paul II in 1986, has jurisdiction over American uniformed military members serving around the world. The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter was established in 2012 to serve former Anglican groups and clergy in the United States who became Catholic.
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Cardinals are responsible for ensuring holy sacraments are carried out
Cardinals are senior clergy members in the Catholic Church, who are appointed by the Pope to serve as his assistants and advisors. They are considered to be the leading bishops of the church and are responsible for governing the international church body. While cardinals are generally bishops, some are archbishops or priests.
Cardinals are responsible for various duties, including overseeing dioceses and archdioceses, and ensuring that holy sacraments are carried out. They are also involved in the creation and nomination of new cardinals, the institution of patriarchs, metropolitans, and bishops, and the nomination of titular bishops.
In the Catholic Church, the holy sacraments are important rituals that mark significant moments in the lives of its members. These sacraments include:
- Baptism: This is the first sacrament, marking the entry of an individual into the Catholic faith. It is typically performed by a priest, who pours blessed water over the head of the person being baptised, or immerses them in water, while invoking the Trinity.
- Confirmation: This sacrament is often conferred by a bishop and serves as a confirmation of one's faith. During the ritual, the bishop anoints the forehead of the individual with oil and lays hands upon them, praying for the Holy Spirit to grant them strength and courage to live out their Christian commitment.
- Eucharist: The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is a sacrament in which Catholics remember and celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It involves the consecrated bread and wine, which are believed to become the body and blood of Christ. Only a priest can perform this sacrament and administer the Eucharist to the congregation.
- Reconciliation: Also known as Confession, this sacrament involves an individual confessing their sins to a priest and seeking God's forgiveness. The priest acts as a witness to God's mercy and love, offering counsel and assigning penance to help the penitent restore their relationship with God.
- Anointing of the Sick: This sacrament is administered to those who are ill or facing serious health issues. A priest or bishop anoints the sick person's forehead and hands with blessed oil, praying for their healing and comfort.
- Holy Orders: This sacrament involves the ordination of individuals into the priesthood or diaconate. It is performed by a bishop, who lays hands on the candidate and prays for the Holy Spirit to descend upon them, granting them the grace and strength needed for their ministry.
- Matrimony: Holy Matrimony is the sacrament that blesses the marriage between two baptised individuals. It signifies God's presence and blessing in their union, and the couple receives grace to live out their married life faithfully and lovingly.
Cardinals, as part of their duties, ensure that these sacraments are properly administered and that the clergy are equipped and guided to perform them effectively. They provide leadership and supervision within their dioceses, promoting the spiritual well-being of the Catholic community under their care.
It is worth noting that while cardinals have a significant role in the Catholic Church, they are not present in every diocese. Cardinals are typically associated with prominent dioceses or archdioceses, and their appointments are made by the Pope based on specific criteria and the needs of the Church.
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Cardinals elect a new Pope when the Holy See is vacant
Cardinals are the most senior clergy in the Catholic Church, second only to the Pope. When the Pope dies or resigns, the governance of the Catholic Church passes to the College of Cardinals. Cardinals are bishops and Vatican officials from across the world, personally chosen by the Pope.
When the Pope's chair becomes "lawfully vacant", a conclave must be held to elect a new Pope. The conclave takes place in Vatican City, in the Italian city-state located inside Rome and governed by the Holy See. Cardinals hold a series of meetings, called general congregations, to discuss the needs and challenges facing the Catholic Church globally. They also prepare for the upcoming papal election, the conclave.
The conclave takes place in the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals gather to celebrate a special Mass, invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in electing a new pope. The cardinals then process inside the Sistine Chapel, where the voting takes place. Cardinals under the age of 80 are the only eligible electors in the conclave and are known as cardinal electors. They take an oath of absolute secrecy before sealing the doors of the Sistine Chapel. The cardinals vote by secret ballot, processing one by one to drop their ballot in a large chalice. Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. If no candidate receives the required number of votes, the ballots are burned, producing black smoke. When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts the election. If he does, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments. The ballots are then burned with chemicals, producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not all Catholic dioceses have cardinals. Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church and are chosen by the Pope. They are typically ordained bishops and hold important roles within the church.
Cardinals are responsible for ensuring that the holy sacraments are carried out regularly within the churches of their territory. They also extend care to those within their diocese who have special needs or are homebound. They are also required to visit the Pope in Rome every five years.
A bishop is the leader of a diocese or a territory within the Catholic Church. A cardinal may serve as a bishop but also holds the title of advisor to the Pope. Cardinals are selected and ordained by the Pope.
There are three ranks of cardinals: Cardinal Bishops, Cardinal Priests, and Cardinal Deacons. Cardinal Bishops are the smallest of the three ranks. Cardinal Priests are the most numerous and include archbishops of major dioceses from around the world. Cardinal Deacons are the lowest-ranking cardinals.
