Grace Thompson
As of 2025, there are 17 American Catholic cardinals, 10 of whom are eligible to participate in the election of a new pope. Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church, chosen by the pope, and act as his advisors. They are typically ordained bishops and hold important roles within the church. They are responsible for ensuring that all bishops and priests act in accordance with the Holy Bible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of American Catholic Cardinals | 10 |
| Number of Canadian Catholic Cardinals | 4 |
| Total number of North American Catholic Cardinals | 14 |
| Total number of Catholic Cardinals | 251-252 |
| Number of countries with Catholic Cardinals | 71-94 |
| Number of continents with Catholic Cardinals | 7 |
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What You'll Learn
There are 17 US cardinals, 10 eligible to be pope
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church and are chosen by the pope. They are typically ordained bishops and generally hold important roles within the church, such as leading prominent archdioceses or heading dicasteries within the Roman Curia.
There are 17 cardinals in the US, out of a total of 251 cardinals worldwide as of June 15, 2025. Only 132 of these 251 cardinals are eligible to participate in the papal conclave to elect a new pope. This is because, under current ecclesiastical law, only cardinals who have not passed their 80th birthdays are eligible to take part in the election.
The pope is traditionally chosen from among the cardinals, although this is not a strict requirement. When the pope dies or steps down, the College of Cardinals assembles in the Sistine Chapel in Rome to elect a new pope. This assembly is known as the conclave. Cardinals take a vow of secrecy about the discussions that take place during the conclave. The election of a new pope can be a dramatic and highly political process, with cardinals politicking and forming alliances to get their preferred candidate elected.
While there is no salary for the position of pope, the pope has access to the vast wealth of the Vatican City State and the Catholic Church, estimated to be worth $30 billion.
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Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic clergy
Cardinals are titular members of the clergy of the Diocese of Rome and constitute the College of Cardinals. They are typically ordained bishops and usually hold important roles within the church, such as leading prominent archdioceses or heading dicasteries within the Roman Curia.
There are three types of cardinals: cardinal bishops, cardinal priests, and cardinal deacons. Cardinal bishops are the most senior and are chosen by the pope to be titular bishops of the suburbicarian dioceses in the vicinity of Rome. They are engaged in full-time service in the Roman Curia. Cardinal priests are officials of the Roman Curia or bishops whose dioceses are outside Rome, such as the Archbishops of Chicago, Paris, New York, and Mexico City. They hold the title to a particular church in Rome. Cardinal deacons are titular bishops assigned to full-time service in the Roman Curia or are theologians honoured by the pope for their contributions to the Church.
Cardinals are created in a consistory, during which they receive a purple biretta from the Holy Father, symbolizing their unwavering readiness to lay down their lives for the Catholic faith. They are often referred to as "purpurate" due to the colour of this hat.
Cardinals have the important duty of electing a new pope when the position becomes vacant, although the new pope is invariably chosen from among their number, this is not a strict requirement. As of 15 June 2025, there were 251 cardinals worldwide, 132 of whom were eligible to participate in a papal conclave to elect a new pope. These cardinals come from 71 countries across all seven continents.
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They are chosen by the pope
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church. They are chosen by the pope and formally created in a consistory. They are typically ordained bishops and generally hold important roles within the church, such as leading prominent archdioceses or heading dicasteries within the Roman Curia.
The pope has final authority when it comes to appointing cardinals. He may make changes because he believes that there are too many cardinals in one country when compared to another, or he may wish to recognize the work of a particular cleric or theologian. Popes send important signals about their values and hopes for the church when they make—or withhold—appointments. For example, Pope Francis has shown interest in building a genuinely global church where ecclesiastical power is not concentrated in Europe, as seen in his appointments of men in Tonga, Myanmar, and Santiago de Cabo Verde.
Cardinals are chosen 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. A small number of cardinals belong to one of the twenty-three autonomous Eastern Catholic Churches. A very small number are priests recognized by the pope for their service to the Church.
There are three orders of cardinals: cardinal bishops, cardinal priests, and cardinal deacons. Cardinal bishops are chosen by the pope to be titular bishops of the suburbicarian dioceses in the vicinity of Rome. Cardinal priests are generally bishops in charge of dioceses around the world, though some hold Curial positions. Cardinal deacons are either officials of the Roman Curia or priests elevated after their 80th birthday, chosen mainly for the honor of it since those over 80 are not able to vote in a conclave.
Cardinals are collectively known as the College of Cardinals and serve as advisors to the pope, who is the bishop of Rome. 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.
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Cardinals are responsible for electing a new pope
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church. They are chosen by the pope and serve as his advisors. 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.
The College of Cardinals is convoked by the dean of the College of Cardinals, and all cardinals are obliged to attend the general congregation of cardinals, except those whose health does not permit or who are over eighty. Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave and are known as cardinal electors. The conclave takes place in the strictest isolation to avoid any external influences or interference. The cardinals who are able to vote enter the Sistine Chapel and follow a detailed procedure for casting secret ballots.
The cardinals vote by secret ballot, processing one by one up to Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgment, saying a prayer, and dropping the twice-folded ballot in a large chalice. Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the votes. The result of each ballot is counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals designated as recorders. If no one receives the necessary two-thirds of the votes, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke.
When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds of the votes, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts his election. If he does, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before proceeding out to the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. The ballots of the final round are burned with chemicals to produce white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope. The senior cardinal deacon announces from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, "Habemus Papam" ("We have a pope"), before the new pope proceeds out and imparts his blessing on the people, the city, the Church, and the world.
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There are 251 cardinals worldwide
As of the latest update, there are 251 cardinals worldwide, spanning across various continents and representing the global reach of the Catholic Church. This college of cardinals, known as the Sacred College, serves as an important governing body within the Catholic Church, with significant responsibilities and influence. Among the 251 cardinals, the majority are cardinal-priests, who make up the largest group within the college. They are often the bishops of significant dioceses or archdioceses and are primarily responsible for electing the pope, either during a conclave or through a secret ballot if the pope steps down.
The number of cardinals from each continent varies, with Europe having the highest number, followed by North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The distribution of cardinals across the globe reflects the Church's effort to recognize the diversity of its members and ensure a more inclusive representation. While the exact number of American cardinals may vary over time due to appointments, retirements, or deaths, their presence within the college ensures that the American Catholic community is represented and has a voice in the decision-making processes of the Church.
The process of selecting cardinals is meticulous and is the sole prerogative of the pope. His Holiness carefully considers a range of factors, including the geographic diversity of the college, the individual's commitment to the Catholic faith, and their potential to provide wise counsel and guidance to the pope and the Church at large. Once appointed, a cardinal's primary duty is to elect the pope and to advise and support him in governing the Church. They may also be given specific responsibilities, such as leading a Vatican department or serving as an envoy to a particular country or region.
The College of Cardinals plays a critical role in the Catholic Church, not only in the election of the pope but also in providing a diverse and global perspective on matters of faith, doctrine, and the overall direction of the Church. Their presence and participation contribute to the dynamic and inclusive nature of the Catholic faith, ensuring that the Church remains responsive to the needs and concerns of its worldwide congregation. While the number of cardinals may fluctuate, the college remains a stable and influential force, guiding the Catholic Church through the challenges and opportunities of the modern era.
The specific number of 251 cardinals worldwide highlights the global nature of the Catholic Church and the important role that these religious leaders play in representing their respective regions. It is a reminder of the Church's universality and its commitment to serving and supporting Catholic communities around the world. As the College of Cardinals continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly maintain its significance as a vital link between the pope, the Vatican, and the diverse and far-reaching Catholic faithful.
Lastly, it is worth noting that the College of Cardinals has a rich history that dates back to the early days of the Catholic Church. Over the centuries, the size and composition of the college have evolved, but its fundamental role and significance have endured.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, there are 17 American Catholic cardinals.
Of the 17 American Catholic cardinals, 10 are eligible to be pope as they are under 80 years old.
As of 15 June 2025, there are 251 cardinals worldwide.
Cardinals of the College come from 94 countries across 7 continents.
There are 135 voting cardinals, 108 of whom were appointed by Pope Francis.
