Rachel Evans
Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church, chosen and appointed by the Pope to serve as his assistants and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Title | Prince of the Church |
| Appointment | Made by the Pope |
| Role | Advisors to the Pope |
| Election | Elect a new Pope in a conclave |
| Leadership | Play a role in the leadership and teaching of the Church |
| Administration | Assist in the administration of the Church |
| Dress | Scarlet zucchetto or skullcap, a scarlet biretta or four-cornered silk hat, and a ring |
| Number | No rules, but based on tradition |
| Cardinal Bishops | Senior order of cardinals |
| Cardinal Priests | Most numerous of the three orders of cardinals |
| Cardinal Deacons | Lowest of the three orders of cardinals |
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What You'll Learn
Cardinals are chosen by the Pope
Cardinals are chosen and appointed by the Pope to serve as his assistants and advisors as they govern the international church body. The Pope chooses cardinals based on their trustworthiness and confidence, and they are usually priests who have risen through the ranks of the Catholic clergy. Cardinals are also chosen to lead dioceses or archdioceses, which are groups of churches or territories.
The Pope has the prerogative to promote someone to the rank of cardinal bishop, and they are chosen from the archbishops of important metropolitan areas, which become known as "cardinalatial sees". Cardinals are often chosen from important cities and Catholic centers, such as Venice, Milan, Paris, and New York, among others.
The Pope has also been known to appoint cardinals from the ""peripheries," choosing bishops who lead smaller dioceses or metropolitan dioceses in areas where the Church is growing rapidly. This practice reflects the Pope's desire to break away from traditional career paths within the Church.
The Pope bestows the honor of becoming a cardinal on archbishops, scholars, or outstanding priests. The process of becoming a cardinal involves receiving a scarlet zucchetto or skullcap, a scarlet biretta or four-cornered silk hat, and a ring to symbolize the Cardinal's dignity. These symbols are placed on the Cardinal by the Pope during the appointment ceremony.
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They advise and assist the Pope
Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church, chosen and appointed by the Pope to serve as his assistants and advisors. They are also known as the Prince of the Church. The Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church, appoints cardinals to assist him in pastoral tasks and liturgical functions.
Cardinals are the Pope's key counsellors and advisors, assisting him in governing the international church body. They work in the Curia in a "vicarious character," participating in the Petrine Office of the Roman Pontiff. Their cooperation with the Pope helps guarantee Catholic unity, primarily in faith and discipline, in communion with Christ. Curial positions held by cardinals include:
- Leadership and teaching of the Church
- Administration of the Church
- Care of the poor
- Administration of papal finances and possessions
- Synodal disposition of important matters
Cardinals also have responsibilities to dioceses outside of Rome and are tasked with voting in each Papal Election, which is the process of electing a new Pope in the event of a vacancy.
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Cardinals elect a new Pope
Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church, also known as the 'Prince of the Church'. They are chosen by the Pope and typically hold the title for life. They are his assistants and advisors, and they govern the international church body alongside him.
The College of Cardinals is made up of all the cardinals in the Catholic Church. They are divided into electors and non-electors. Electors are cardinals under the age of 80 who participate in the election of a new Pope. Cardinals over the age of 80 can still participate in the discussions leading up to the election, but they do not have a vote. The election of a new Pope is the most solemn responsibility of the cardinals.
The process of electing a new Pope is called a Papal Election or Conclave. Cardinals meet at the Vatican, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church in Rome, Italy, where the Pope resides. During the Conclave, the cardinals are not allowed any access to the outside world. They spend their time discussing the credentials of all possible candidates for the role of Pope. The cardinals remain inside the Vatican until they can reach an agreement, with a two-thirds majority vote required to elect a new Pope.
The College of Cardinals also governs the Holy See during the period between a Pope's death or resignation and the election of a successor.
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They govern the international church body
Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church, chosen and appointed by the Pope to serve as his assistants and
The role of a Catholic Cardinal is to assist the Pope in governing and administering the Church. They are his counsellors and advisors, and they work with him to ensure Catholic unity, both in faith and discipline. Cardinals are often responsible for dioceses outside of Rome, and they travel the world, acting as a governing body for the Church. They are often referred to as the "Prince of the Church", though Pope Francis has rejected this title.
Cardinals have a solemn responsibility to elect a new Pope when the position becomes vacant. This is done in a conclave, where Cardinals meet at the Vatican to discuss and vote for the next Pope. Cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to participate in the voting process, and a two-thirds majority vote is required for a Pope to be elected.
In addition to their role in electing the Pope, Cardinals also head dioceses or archdioceses, which are groups of churches or territories. They are in charge of important metropolitan areas, such as Venice, Milan, Paris, and New York, and they have deep knowledge of these Catholic centres. Cardinals are also involved in various administrative tasks, such as the care of the poor, the management of papal finances, and the disposition of important matters within the Church.
The College of Cardinals, formed in 1150, is made up of all the Cardinals in the Catholic Church. It is led by a Dean and a Camerlengo, who serves in place of the Pope when the position is vacant. The College of Cardinals plays a crucial role in the governance of the Church, especially during the period between a Pope's death or resignation and the election of a successor.
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Cardinals are leaders and teachers
Cardinals are primarily responsible for advising and assisting the Pope in governing the international church body. They are his trusted counselors and advisors, and they work vicariously through the Roman Curia, an instrument of the Pope, to guarantee Catholic unity in faith and discipline. Cardinals also have administrative responsibilities in their own countries and within the worldwide church. They often oversee dioceses outside of Rome and are tasked with electing a new Pope when the position becomes vacant.
The College of Cardinals, formed in 1150, is made up of all the cardinals in the Catholic Church. It is led by a Dean and a Camerlengo, who serves in place of the Pope during a vacancy. Cardinals under 80 years of age are electors and participate in the election of a new Pope, while those over 80 retain an advisory role in the process.
In addition to their advisory and administrative roles, cardinals have a teaching function within the Church. They are responsible for the care of the poor, the administration of finances, and the disposition of important matters, including dogmatic decisions, canonizations, and disciplinary affairs. Cardinals are often archbishops of important metropolitan areas, giving them deep knowledge of significant Catholic centers worldwide.
Overall, cardinals play a vital role in the leadership and teaching of the Catholic Church, serving as key counselors and assistants to the Pope while also having responsibilities in their respective dioceses and countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church and counsellors of the Pope. They are chosen and appointed by the Pope to serve as his assistants and advisors as they govern the international church body.
Cardinals are responsible for voting in each Papal Election, the process of electing a new Pope in the event of a vacancy in the role. They also travel the world and act as part of a governing body of the Catholic Church. Cardinals also work in the Curia in a "vicarious character", participating in the Petrine Office of the Roman pontiff.
The title of Cardinal can be traced back to the third century and Pope Sylvester I. The title "Prince of the Church" has historically been applied to cardinals of the Catholic Church. However, this title has been rejected by Pope Francis, who stated that Jesus "calls you to serve like Him and with Him."
