Ethan Walker
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church, also known as the Sacred College of Cardinals. They are chosen and appointed by the Pope to serve as his assistants and advisors as they govern the international church body. They are also responsible for electing each new Pope, usually from among themselves. Cardinals are typically bishops and archbishops leading dioceses and archdioceses around the world and are often the most prominent diocese or archdiocese in their country. They are easily recognised by their scarlet zucchetto (or skullcap) and scarlet biretta (a four-cornered silk hat).
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What You'll Learn
Electing the pope
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church. They are chosen and appointed by the pope to serve as his assistants and
The most solemn responsibility of the cardinals is to elect a new pope in a conclave, almost always from among themselves, with a few historical exceptions, when the Holy See is vacant. The right to participate in a conclave is limited to cardinals under the age of 80. The cardinals meet at the Vatican before the Papal Election, which is called Conclave. During the conclave, cardinals are not allowed any access to the outside world, and their time is spent discussing the credentials of all possible candidates for the role of Pope. The cardinals remain inside the Vatican until they can reach an agreement.
The pope alone appoints or creates cardinals in the three orders of cardinal bishop, cardinal priest, and cardinal deacon—all of whom are bishops in accordance with the ruling of John XXIII. Cardinals are chosen and formally created by the pope, and typically hold the title for life. The creation of cardinals takes place in a secret consistory, during which those actually resident in Rome are informed of their nomination. In the afternoon of the same day, the newly-created cardinals meet in the pope’s apartments, where the scarlet zucchetta (or skullcap) and scarlet biretta (a four-cornered silk hat) are both placed upon the cardinals’ heads by the hand of the pope. The ring is a symbol of a cardinal’s dignity, pastoral zeal and communion with the See of Peter.
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Advising the pope
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church, and they serve as advisors to the pope. They are chosen and appointed by the pope and typically hold the title for life. The pope alone appoints or creates cardinals in the three orders of cardinal bishop, cardinal priest, and cardinal deacon.
Cardinals are the pope's principal counselors, and they aid in the government of the Roman Catholic Church throughout the world. They are the pope's assistants and advisors as they govern the international church body. They are also tasked with voting in each Papal Election, the process of electing a new Pope in the event of a vacancy in the role.
The cardinals are obliged to reside in Rome and cannot leave the Papal States without the pope's permission. They are also required to assist the pope at the chief liturgical services known as capellae pa pales, to distinguish them from the capellae cardinalicice, at which the pope is not present.
The creation of cardinals takes place in a secret consistory, during which those actually resident in Rome are informed of their nomination. The newly created cardinals meet in the pope's apartments, where the scarlet zucchetta (or skullcap) and scarlet biretta (a four-cornered silk hat) are placed on their heads by the pope. The scarlet biretta is a symbol of a cardinal's dignity, pastoral zeal, and communion with the See of Peter.
The cardinals also counsel the pope on various matters, including:
- The creation and nomination of new cardinals
- The publication of names reserved in petto
- The giving of the cardinalitial insignia, except for the red hat
- The opening and closing of the mouth
- The institution of patriarchs, metropolitans, and bishops
- The nomination of titular bishops who do not belong to missionary territories
- The transfer of bishops
- The granting of the pallium to archbishops
- The creation, division, and union of dioceses
- The institution of abbots whose abbeys are in the gift of the Holy See
- The nomination of the camerlengo and the vice-chancellor of the Roman Church
- The choice and mission of cardinals as legati a latere
- The conclusion of concordats and consultation on differences and conflicts between Church and State
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Governing the Church
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church. They are chosen and appointed by the pope to serve as his assistants and
Cardinals are the pope's principal counsellors, and they aid in the government of the Church. They are obliged to reside in Rome and cannot leave the Papal States without the pope's permission. They are also required to assist the pope at the chief liturgical services known as capellae papales, to distinguish them from the capellae cardinalicice, at which the pope is not present.
Cardinals are also often appointed to roles overseeing dicasteries (departments) of the
Cardinal priests are the most numerous of the three orders of cardinals in the Catholic Church, ranking above the cardinal deacons and below the cardinal bishops. Those who are named cardinal priests today are generally also bishops of important dioceses throughout the world, though some hold Curial positions.
Cardinal bishops are senior members of the College of Cardinals who are engaged in full-time service in the Roman Curia. The patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches are also assigned rank among the cardinal bishops. Cardinal deacons are titular bishops assigned to full-time service in the Roman Curia or are theologians honoured by the pope for their contribution to the Church.
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Administering archdioceses
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church. They are chosen and appointed by the Pope to serve as his assistants and
Cardinals are responsible for administering archdioceses, which are large areas of churches that are managed by archbishops. Archdioceses are typically the most prominent diocese or archdiocese in their country. Cardinals are drawn from a variety of backgrounds and are appointed as cardinals in addition to their existing roles within the Church.
Cardinals are often the bishops and archbishops leading dioceses and archdioceses worldwide. They are the successors of the bishops of the sees just outside Rome. In the 8th century, there were seven of these sees, but the number was later reduced to six. Cardinals hold the title of bishop, priest, or deacon.
Cardinal bishops are senior members of the College of Cardinals who are engaged in full-time service in the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Catholic Church. Cardinal priests are officials of the Roman Curia or bishops whose dioceses are outside Rome. They hold the title to a particular church in Rome, which is a historical reminder of the earlier custom of the clergy of Rome participating in the election of the Pope.
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. They are reminiscent of the seven deacons who once administered the districts of Rome and those who assisted in the papal household.
Cardinals are responsible for the day-to-day governance of the Holy See between a Pope's death or resignation and the election of their successor. They are the chief officials of the Roman Curia and often serve as papal envoys. They are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, including bishops, archbishops, priests, and theologians. Cardinals are also responsible for the creation and division of dioceses and the institution of abbots and bishops.
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Leading the Church
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church, and they play a crucial role in leading the Church. They are chosen and appointed by the Pope, who also bestows the title upon them. They are his closest advisors and assistants, and they aid in governing the Church.
Cardinals are the Pope's right-hand men, so to speak, and they have a solemn responsibility to elect a new Pope when the position becomes vacant. They meet at the Vatican, without access to the outside world, and discuss the credentials of potential candidates until they reach an agreement. This process is called a "conclave".
In addition to electing the Pope, cardinals also advise and counsel him on matters of importance to the Church. They participate in papal consistories, where new cardinals may also be appointed. They are also often appointed to oversee dicasteries (departments) of the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Catholic Church.
Cardinals are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, and most are bishops and archbishops leading dioceses and archdioceses around the world. They are also often sent on special missions and travel the globe, acting as papal envoys.
Cardinals are easily recognised by their distinctive red attire, including the scarlet zucchetto (skullcap) and the scarlet biretta, a four-cornered silk hat. They are addressed as "'Eminence'" and are known as "princes of the Church".
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Frequently asked questions
A Catholic Cardinal is a senior member of the clergy of the Catholic Church, who serves as an advisor to the Pope. Cardinals are chosen and appointed by the Pope and hold the title for life.
The duties of a Catholic Cardinal include electing a new Pope, acting as the Pope's principal counsellor, and aiding in the government of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide. Cardinals also travel the world on special missions and administer vital archdioceses.
There are three distinct types of Catholic Cardinals: Cardinal Bishops, Cardinal Priests, and Cardinal Deacons. Cardinal Bishops are the most senior members of the College of Cardinals, followed by Cardinal Priests, who are generally also bishops of important dioceses, and Cardinal Deacons.
The title of Cardinal can be traced back to the third century and Pope Sylvester I. The role of Cardinal emerged from the need of the Popes for reliable advisors. The word Cardinal comes from the Latin 'cardo', meaning 'pivot' or 'hinge', denoting their role as key counsellors for the Catholic Church.
When a priest becomes a Cardinal, they receive a scarlet zucchetto (skullcap), a scarlet biretta (four-cornered silk hat), and a ring to symbolise their dignity and pastoral zeal. These items are placed on the Cardinal by the Pope. Cardinals are also known as ''Eminence' and 'Princes of the Church' due to their diplomatic status.
