
A Catholic archbishop can also be a cardinal, but not all archbishops are cardinals. Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church, and the role comes with additional responsibilities, such as voting for a new pope and advising the pope on matters concerning the Church. There are three ranks of cardinals: Cardinal-Bishop, Cardinal-Priest, and Cardinal Deacon. Most cardinals are bishops and archbishops leading dioceses and archdioceses around the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Archbishop | Usually the bishop of a major metropolitan archdiocese |
| Cardinal | Member of the College of Cardinals |
| Cardinal | Usually a bishop |
| Cardinal | Can be a layman or a priest with permission |
| Cardinal | Has precedence over archbishops and bishops who are not cardinals |
| Cardinal | Cannot perform the sacrament of ordination or other rites reserved for bishops |
| Cardinal | Can be a cardinal-bishop, cardinal-priest or cardinal-deacon |
| Cardinal | Does not have extra jurisdictional powers over other dioceses or archdioceses |
| Cardinal | Can be bishops or archbishops elsewhere |
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What You'll Learn

Cardinals are members of the College of Cardinals
Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church, also known as "Princes of the Church". They are members of the College of Cardinals, which governs the Holy See in the period between a pope's death or resignation and the election of his successor. Cardinals are appointed by the pope and participate in papal consistories, where matters of importance to the Church are considered and new cardinals may be created. They are also often appointed to roles overseeing dicasteries (departments) of the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Catholic Church.
The College of Cardinals is led by a Dean, who is one of the cardinal bishops. Cardinal bishops are the senior order of cardinals, and in modern times, very few cardinals are cardinal bishops. In the past, each cardinal bishop presided over one of the suburbicarian sees around Rome, but since 1962, they have only had a titular relationship with these dioceses.
The majority of cardinals are bishops or archbishops, and they are often the most prominent bishop or archbishop in their country. An archbishop who is a cardinal may be a cardinal-bishop, a cardinal-priest, or a cardinal-deacon. However, being a cardinal does not grant an archbishop any extra jurisdictional powers over other dioceses or archdioceses.
While it is not a requirement, most cardinals are ordained in the Holy Orders, and since 1917, only those who are already priests or bishops may be appointed cardinals. Cardinals who are not bishops are entitled to wear episcopal vestments and regalia, but they cannot perform the sacrament of ordination or other rites reserved for bishops.
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Cardinals are usually bishops or archbishops
Cardinals are senior leaders in the Catholic Church, and they are usually bishops or archbishops. The role of a cardinal is to elect a new pope when the position is vacant, advise the pope, and help govern the Catholic Church. Cardinals are members of the College of Cardinals, and they are often appointed to roles overseeing departments of the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Catholic Church.
While it is not mandatory for a cardinal to be ordained, the majority are. In modern times, most cardinals are bishops or archbishops, but few are "cardinal bishops". A cardinal who is not a bishop is permitted to wear episcopal vestments and regalia, but they cannot perform the sacrament of ordination or other rites reserved for bishops.
Archbishops are usually bishops of a major metropolitan archdiocese, and they may also be cardinals. An archbishop who is a cardinal may be a cardinal-bishop, cardinal-priest, or cardinal-deacon, but they have no authority over other dioceses or archdioceses.
Cardinal priests were originally key priests of important churches in the Diocese of Rome, chosen by the pope to advise him in his duties as Bishop of Rome. Today, cardinal priests may be bishops or archbishops, and every cardinal priest has a titular church in Rome.
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Cardinals help govern the Catholic Church
A Catholic archbishop is a bishop of a particularly important diocese or see; the title implies no authority over other bishops. However, they can also be created cardinals, which gives them a whole new set of responsibilities and duties within the Catholic Church.
Cardinals are senior ecclesiastical leaders in the Catholic Church, typically appointed by the Pope, and form the College of Cardinals. They are his closest advisers and are called upon to elect a new Pope when the position becomes vacant. They help govern the Church by assisting the Pope in various administrative tasks and offering counsel and expertise.
The College of Cardinals is an important governing body in the Catholic Church, and its members are an elite group of clerics. They are often referred to as 'Princes of the Church' and act as a sort of cabinet for the Pope. They are an essential part of the Church's central government, the Roman Curia, and they head departments, known as dicasteries, which deal with a range of issues from doctrine to diplomatic relations.
When a cardinal is appointed, he is assigned a 'titular church' in Rome, which gives him the title of a cardinal-priest or cardinal-bishop. This links him to the city and its people and gives him a role in the day-to-day life of the Roman clergy. Cardinals also have a say in how the Church is run globally, as they are often sent as papal envoys to important events and celebrations, and they can be called upon to lead masses and services in the Pope's stead.
The College of Cardinals is an ancient institution, and its members have always played a key role in the governance of the Church. They are an essential part of the Catholic Church's unique structure, and their influence and power are felt worldwide. Being a cardinal is a great honor and responsibility, and their role in advising and electing the Pope is of utmost importance to the future direction of the Catholic faith.
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Cardinals vote for a new pope
Cardinals are members of the College of Cardinals, also known as the Sacred College of Cardinals. They are appointed by the Pope and are usually bishops or archbishops. In fact, most cardinals are archbishops leading archdioceses around the world. However, it is possible for a layman or a priest to become a cardinal with permission.
The College of Cardinals is responsible for electing a new Pope. The process of electing a new Pope is called a conclave. Cardinals from various countries gather at the Vatican to elect a new Pope through a series of votes, or ballots, held in the strictest isolation. The ballots are rectangular pieces of paper with the top half bearing a Latin phrase and the bottom half left blank for the cardinal to write their chosen candidate's name. The ballots are folded in half and cast in a chalice.
The voting process can be lengthy. In the first phase of the conclave, there are three days of voting, followed by a pause of up to one day. This is followed by seven ballots and another pause, then seven more ballots, and another pause. After this, about 12 or 13 days into the conclave, the cardinals can decide to elect a pope by a simple majority instead of a two-thirds majority, voting only between the top two candidates. If there is still no Pope elected after 21 votes, a final pause for prayer, dialogue, and reflection is observed before voting continues.
The ballots are burned after each round of voting, and the smoke's colour indicates whether a pope has been elected. If a pope has been elected, the smoke is white; if not, the smoke is black. Once a pope is elected, the ballots are burned immediately.
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Cardinals have no authority over other dioceses
Cardinals are senior officials of the Catholic Church, often appointed in addition to their existing roles. Most cardinals are bishops and archbishops, leading dioceses and archdioceses worldwide. However, the rank of cardinal does not grant an archbishop jurisdictional powers or authority over other dioceses or archdioceses. Archbishops who are cardinals do not gain any extra power or authority in their own diocese or archdioceses, nor do they gain authority over neighbouring dioceses or archdioceses.
Historically, there were seven cardinal bishops, each presiding over one of the seven suburbicarian sees around Rome: Ostia, Albano, Porto and Santa Rufina, Palestrina, Sabina and Mentana, Frascati, and Velletri. In 1150, Velletri was united with Ostia, reducing the number of cardinal bishops to six. In 1914, Pope Pius X separated them, but decreed that whichever cardinal bishop became Dean of the College of Cardinals would hold both sees, maintaining the number of six cardinal bishops. Since 1962, the cardinal bishops have only had a titular relationship with the suburbicarian sees, with each governed by a separate ordinary.
The role of cardinals is to elect a new pope when the papacy is vacant, advise the pope, and help govern the Catholic Church. Cardinals are drawn from a variety of backgrounds and appointed as cardinals in addition to their existing roles within the Church. While cardinals have precedence over archbishops and bishops who are not cardinals, they cannot perform the sacrament of ordination or other rites reserved for bishops.
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Frequently asked questions
An archbishop is usually the bishop of a major metropolitan archdiocese.
A cardinal is a member of the Sacred College of Cardinals. Cardinals are appointed in addition to their existing roles within the Church.
Yes, an archbishop can be a cardinal. In modern times, most cardinals are also bishops or archbishops, but few are "cardinal bishops".








































