Joshua Bennett
Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church clergy, chosen and created by the pope, and they typically hold the title for life. They are the pope's advisors and collaborators in the government of the Church, and they also elect a new pope in a conclave, almost always from among themselves. Cardinals are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, and most are bishops and archbishops leading dioceses and archdioceses around the world. They live all over the world, and some live in mansions, such as Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, who lives in a 15,000-square-foot mansion on Madison Avenue, while others live in more modest accommodations, like Boston's Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who resides in a rundown rectory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic cardinals | 250 as of 4 July 2025 |
| Number of cardinals eligible to vote in a conclave | 131 |
| Location of cardinals' residences | Various locations, including Rome, Manhattan, Chicago, and Boston |
| Residence type | Mansions, rectories, apartments |
| Residence features | Historical landmarks, offices, hosting guests and fundraisers, unobstructed views, luxurious details |
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What You'll Learn
Cardinals live all over the world
Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church clergy, chosen and appointed by the Pope, and they usually hold the title for life. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, and as of July 2025, there were 250 cardinals, with 131 eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope.
Cardinals are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, and most are bishops and archbishops leading dioceses and archdioceses around the world. They are spread out across the globe, with some residing in mansions, such as Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, who lives in a 15,000-square-foot mansion on Madison Avenue, and Chicago's Cardinal Francis George, who lives in a mansion on 1.7 acres of prime real estate in the Gold Coast neighbourhood. On the other hand, some cardinals, like Boston's Cardinal Sean O'Malley, choose to live in more modest accommodations, such as a rundown rectory in the South End.
The practice of having only Italian cardinals ceased by the end of the 14th century, and since then, cardinals have been appointed from various countries and backgrounds. Cardinals possess no power of governance and do not intervene in matters pertaining to administration or discipline. Their primary role is to advise the Pope and collectively participate in papal consistories, where matters of importance to the Church are discussed and new cardinals may be appointed.
Cardinals of working age are often appointed to oversee dicasteries (departments) of the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Catholic Church. They also have the solemn responsibility of electing a new pope in a conclave, usually from among themselves, when the position becomes vacant due to the Pope's death or resignation.
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The Vatican is home to cardinals
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church. They are chosen and appointed by the Pope, and they serve as his advisors. Cardinals are typically appointed for life and are usually bishops and archbishops leading dioceses and archdioceses around the world.
The College of Cardinals is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church. As of July 2025, there were 250 cardinals, of whom 131 were eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope. The College of Cardinals has no ruling power except during the sede vacante (papal vacancy) period when the day-to-day governance of the Holy See is in their hands.
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Some American cardinals live in mansions
Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic Church and are chosen by the Pope, typically holding the title for life. They are often bishops and archbishops, leading dioceses and archdioceses around the world.
Chicago's Cardinal Francis George also lives in a mansion, which has 19 chimneys and sits on 1.7 acres of prime real estate in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood. It is valued at $14.3 million, and George's private quarters occupy the top two floors. He shares the residence with two bishops and a priest.
The mansions of Cardinals Dolan and George were built over 100 years ago and are used for offices, hosting guests and fundraisers, as well as residences. They are considered historical landmarks.
However, not all American cardinals live in such lavish residences. For example, Boston's Cardinal Sean O'Malley resides in a rundown rectory on the South End, having moved out of the archbishop's traditional mansion in 2003. He stated, "We no longer need all the symbols of the past, especially when those symbols now seem ambiguous at best and a contradiction of some of our Gospel values at worst." Similarly, Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, shares a converted convent with his elderly mother, and Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia sold the church's $10 million mansion when he moved to the city in 2011, opting for a simpler lifestyle.
The lifestyles of American cardinals have been a topic of debate, with some people questioning the extravagance of their residences. For example, Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory faced criticism and agreed to give up his $2.2 million mansion. On the other hand, some argue that successful people who have devoted their lives to serving their congregations deserve material rewards as they advance in age.
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Cardinals are chosen by the pope
Cardinals are senior members of the clergy of the Catholic Church, serving as advisors to the pope, who is the bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church. They are chosen and formally created by the pope and typically hold the title for life.
The pope appoints cardinals, who are usually bishops and archbishops leading dioceses and archdioceses worldwide. They are often appointed to roles overseeing dicasteries (departments) of the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Catholic Church. Cardinals are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, being appointed as cardinals in addition to their existing roles within the Church. A small number are priests recognised by the pope for their service to the Church.
The College of Cardinals, or the Sacred College of Cardinals, is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church. As of July 2025, there were 250 cardinals, of whom 131 were eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope. Cardinals are typically chosen by the pope from among their membership.
The right to participate in a conclave is limited to cardinals under the age of 80. This age limit was set for the first time in 1970 by Pope Paul VI, who also increased the number of cardinal bishops in 1965. The most solemn responsibility of the cardinals is to elect a new pope in a conclave, usually from among the College of Cardinals.
The lifestyles of some cardinals and church leaders have been criticised for being opulent and out of touch with the gospel message and the Pope's example. For example, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York lives in a 15,000-square-foot mansion on Madison Avenue, worth at least $30 million.
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Cardinals are senior members of the clergy
Cardinals are the pope's advisors and are involved in matters of importance to the Church. They also oversee the central administration of the Catholic Church, the Roman Curia. Cardinals are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, with most being bishops and archbishops leading dioceses and archdioceses around the world.
The College of Cardinals is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church. They have the solemn responsibility of electing a new pope, usually from among themselves. During the period between a pope's death or resignation and the election of a successor, the College of Cardinals takes on the day-to-day governance of the Holy See.
Cardinals are known for their distinctive dress, which includes a scarlet biretta and a black cassock with scarlet piping and a scarlet sash. Some cardinals, particularly in the United States, are known to live in lavish mansions, which have been criticised as being contrary to the values of the Catholic Church.
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Frequently asked questions
Cardinals live all over the world, serving as advisors to the pope.
Cardinals have their own residences, but not necessarily in the Vatican. For example, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York lives in a 15,000-square-foot mansion on Madison Avenue.
No, cardinals may live with other priests and bishops. For example, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago lives in a mansion with two bishops and a priest.
No, the residences are provided by the Catholic Church.
Cardinals are appointed by the pope and typically hold their title for life, but they can be transferred to different dioceses or archdioceses around the world.
