Grace Thompson
The Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and is regarded as the successor of St. Peter. He is elected by a procedure known as a conclave, in which cardinal electors gather in seclusion in Vatican City to vote. The Pope is the highest authority in the Roman Catholic Church, and second to him are the cardinals, who are his chief advisors. Cardinals are ranked higher than priests, bishops, and archbishops. They assist bishops in electing the Pope and are responsible for governing a collection of parishes called a diocese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rank in Roman Catholic Church Hierarchy | Second to the Pope |
| Other ranks higher than | Bishops, Archbishops, Priests |
| Cardinal's role | Advisor to the Pope, Assisted Bishops in electing the Pope |
| Cardinal's meaning | 'Hinge' |
| Cardinal's number | No more than 24 during the Medieval period |
| Cardinal's origin | Senior clergy within the Diocese of Rome |
| Cardinal's evolution | Senior bishops outside of Rome could also become cardinals during the Middle Ages |
| Cardinal's role in 2014 | Secretary of State |
| Cardinal's role in Pope election | Cardinal electors gather in seclusion in Vatican City to vote |
| Cardinal's role in Pope election | Cardinals retain roles for the second scrutiny of the morning, if it is needed |
| Cardinal's role in Pope election | Cardinals approach in order of precedence to deposit their ballots into a receptacle |
| Cardinal's role in Pope election | Cardinals stitch ballots with a needle and red thread and burn them |
| Cardinal's role in Pope election | Cardinals burn ballots after each ballot to indicate a failed election |
| Cardinal's role in Pope election | Cardinals burn ballots from two votes together if no smoke is issued after every unsuccessful election |
| Cardinal's role in Pope election | Cardinals take an oath to obey the rules of the conclave |
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What You'll Learn
Cardinals are second only to the Pope
The Pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and is regarded as the successor of St. Peter, who was the head of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. The Pope has supreme power and jurisdiction over the Church in matters of faith, morals, church discipline, and government. He is elected by a procedure known as a conclave, in which cardinal electors gather in seclusion in Vatican City to vote.
The role of cardinal is of great importance in the Catholic Church. They are the most senior members of the clergy, outranking bishops and archbishops. During the Middle Ages, cardinals were originally the senior clergy within the Diocese of Rome, but later, senior bishops outside of Rome could also become cardinals.
Cardinals have played a significant role in the history of the Catholic Church, including in the election of popes and in the administration of the Church. For example, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was the Secretary of State during the reign of Pope Benedict, and Cardinal George Pell was chosen by Pope Francis to head a new department overseeing Vatican finances.
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Cardinals elect the Pope
Cardinals are the second-highest rank in the Roman Catholic Church, just below the Pope. They are senior archbishops and are chosen by the Pope. They are his advisors and assist bishops in electing the Pope.
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He is regarded as the successor of St. Peter, who was the head of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. The Pope has supreme power over the universal church in matters of faith, morals, church discipline, and government.
The Pope is elected by a procedure known as a conclave, in which cardinal electors gather in seclusion in Vatican City to vote. Cardinals are not permitted to communicate with anyone outside the area where the election is taking place. The election is preceded by general congregations that are called to discuss the growing challenges facing the Catholic Church. The actual voting takes place in the Sistine Chapel, where electors take an oath of discretion and close the doors to the public.
The voting is done through secret ballots that read "I elect as supreme pontiff". The ballots are placed in urns and counted by three cardinals chosen by a random draw from the electors. The process continues until a candidate receives a two-thirds majority of the votes. Once a Pope is elected, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts the title.
The public is kept informed of the voting process through smoke signals created by burning the ballots. White smoke means that a new Pope has been selected, while black smoke means another round of voting is required.
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Pope Francis redefined the role of second-in-command
The Pope is the head of the Holy See and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He is regarded as the successor of St. Peter, who was the head of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. The Pope has full and supreme power over the universal church in matters of faith, morals, church discipline, and government.
The Catholic Church is organized in a hierarchical manner, with the Pope at the top, followed by cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, and deacons. Cardinals are the second-highest ranking officials in the Catholic Church and are considered the chief advisors to the Pope. They assist in electing the Pope and play a crucial role in the administration of the church.
During the pontificate of Pope Benedict, the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, was criticized for his involvement in scandals and missteps. In response, Pope Francis has redefined the role of the Secretary of State, curbing its once-overarching power. He has chosen Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a career diplomat known for his frugality and aversion to clerical exhibitionism, to lead the reshaped department. The Secretary of State's role is now primarily focused on diplomacy, similar to the U.S. State Department, with a reduced role in internal matters and finances.
In addition to reshaping the department, Pope Francis has also appointed an advisory board of eight cardinals from around the world to help him govern the Church and reform the Curia, the administration of the Holy See. This board has an open-ended mandate and reports directly to the Pope, indicating a more collaborative and decentralized approach to leadership.
Furthermore, Pope Francis has emphasized the need for cardinals to shun intrigue and social climbing. He has urged them to view their position not as an honor or a promotion but as a responsibility to serve. This shift in mindset aims to create a more humble and evangelical Church leadership, moving away from the perception of cardinals as "royal court" members.
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Pope Saint Linus was the second Pope
Pope Saint Linus is recognized by many as the second Pope, serving as the Bishop of Rome from around 67 AD to his death in 80 AD. He is mentioned in the Bible, in the Second Epistle to Timothy, as being with Paul the Apostle in Rome near the end of Paul's life.
Linus was born in Volterrae, Italy, in around 10 AD. His father's name was Herculanus, and his mother may have been Claudia, as the name appears close to his in the Bible. He was close to Paul the Apostle and travelled with him to Rome.
According to the earliest succession lists of bishops of Rome, passed down by Irenaeus and Hegesippus and attested by the historian Eusebius, Linus was entrusted with his office by the apostles Peter and Paul after they had established the Christian church in Rome. Linus is also mentioned by Jerome, who described him as "the first after Peter to be in charge of the Roman Church".
Linus is one of the only popes listed in the Bible. He appears in Timothy 4:21, which describes the Holy Apostles handing over leadership of the Church to him. There is some dispute over whether this is the same Linus. He is also mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass.
Linus is recognized as a martyr, although there are no records relating to his death or martyrdom. He was buried in the Vatican, and his tomb was discovered in Saint Peter's Basilica in 1615. His feast day is celebrated on September 23.
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Cardinals are ranked higher than priests
The Pope is the absolute leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and is elected by a group of cardinals known as cardinal electors. The Pope is regarded as the successor of St. Peter, and has supreme power of jurisdiction over the Roman Catholic Church in matters of faith and morals, as well as in church discipline and government. The Pope is elected by a procedure known as a conclave, in which cardinal electors gather in seclusion in Vatican City and vote. When a two-thirds majority is reached among the electors, the newly elected pope chooses his papal name.
Cardinals are the second most senior members in the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, and are ranked higher than priests. They are the Pope's chief advisors and assist bishops in electing the Pope. Cardinals are leading bishops and members of the College of Cardinals. Their biggest duty is participating in the Papal Conclave, that is, voting for the new Pope. Most have additional duties, including missions within the Roman Curia, the governmental body of the Holy See. The College of Cardinals is structured in three orders, or ranks: the order of "cardinal deacons", the order of "cardinal priests", and the order of "cardinal bishops".
Priests, on the other hand, are considered the clergy of the people. They are unable to hold personal possessions and typically live in a group house alongside other members of their order. They are not provided with a salary and must follow the orders of their superiors.
The Catholic Church is structured hierarchically, with the Pope at the top, followed by cardinals, bishops, and then priests. This hierarchy became more solidified during the Middle Ages, when most of Europe became Catholic, and the Catholic Church began to function more like a government.
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Frequently asked questions
Cardinals are second to the pope in the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy. They are the Pope's chief advisors and assist bishops in electing the Pope.
Cardinals are senior archbishops who advise the pope and help elect them. They are ranked higher than priests, bishops, and archbishops.
The pope elects cardinals. The pope's election is determined by a conclave, in which cardinal electors gather in seclusion in Vatican City to vote.
Bishops govern a collection of parishes called a diocese. Cardinals are senior bishops who have a higher rank than bishops and advise the pope.
Pope Saint Linus, who was also the second pope, is considered the first cardinal as he was the direct successor to Saint Peter, the first pope.
