Cardinal (Catholic Church)

Cardinal (Catholic Church)
Post	Cardinal
Body	the, Holy Roman Church
Insigniasize	150
Insigniacaption	Shield of the Holy See
Department	Holy See, Diocese of Rome
Style	His Eminence
Type	Prince of the Church
Member of	College of Cardinals
Reports to	Pope
Seat	Vatican City
Appointer	Pope
Termlength	Life tenure
Formation	8th century
First	Pope Stephen III

Cardinal (Catholic Church). A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical leader, a Prince of the Church, and an appointed elector of the Pope within the Catholic Church. Cardinals are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which advises the pontiff and governs the Holy See during a papal vacancy. Their most prominent function is participating in the conclave to elect a new pope, a tradition solidified after the Third Council of the Lateran in 1179. Appointed directly by the reigning pontiff, cardinals usually hold significant offices such as leading major dioceses or curial departments in the Roman Curia.

History and origins

The term "cardinal" derives from the Latin *cardo* (hinge), indicating their pivotal role as principal clergy attached to the Lateran Basilica and other titular churches in Rome. The office evolved from the senior clergy of the Diocese of Rome in the 8th century, with Pope Stephen III formally creating cardinals. Their electoral privilege was gradually centralized; the 1059 bull *In Nomine Domini* by Pope Nicholas II granted cardinal-bishops exclusive papal election rights, a process refined by the Second Council of Lyons and the 1588 apostolic constitution *Postquam verus* by Pope Sixtus V. Historically, powerful families like the Borgia and Medici vied for cardinalates, influencing events like the Western Schism.

Role and responsibilities

Cardinals serve as chief advisors to the Pope and hold key leadership positions within the global Church governance structure. Many lead major archdioceses such as New York, Paris, or Manila, or head dicasteries within the Roman Curia like the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. They may be appointed as papal legates to represent the Holy See at international events like the United Nations or during crises such as the Yugoslav Wars. Collectively, the College of Cardinals administers the Vatican City and the Holy See during a papal interregnum, as seen after the death of Pope John Paul II.

Appointment and qualifications

Cardinals are personally selected by the reigning Pope through a process known as a consistory, with no external electoral input. According to the apostolic constitution *Universi Dominici gregis* by Pope John Paul II, eligible candidates must be at least ordained priests, with those not already bishops required to receive episcopal consecration, as exemplified by the appointment of Albert Vanhoye. While historically cardinals like Jules Mazarin were laymen, current canon law mandates the priesthood. The pope may also appoint cardinals *in pectore* (secretly), as Pope John Paul II did with Ignatius Kung Pin-Mei during the Cultural Revolution.

Ranks and orders

The College of Cardinals is divided into three hierarchical orders established by Pope Sixtus V. Cardinal Bishops are those assigned to the suburbicarian sees surrounding Rome, such as Ostia and Velletri-Segni, with the Dean often holding the See of Ostia. Cardinal Priests are typically bishops of major dioceses worldwide, like Buenos Aires or Kinshasa, and are assigned a titular church in Rome. Cardinal Deacons, often officials of the Roman Curia, are given a deaconry such as Sant'Apollinare alle Terme Neroniane-Alessandrine; they may opt to become Cardinal Priests after a decade, as did Joseph Ratzinger.

Vesture and insignia

The distinctive vesture of a cardinal includes the scarlet choir cassock, rochet, and mozzetta, with the color symbolizing a willingness to shed blood for the faith. Their insignia feature the red galero (a wide-brimmed hat), a gold ring traditionally kissed by the faithful, and a scarlet zucchetto. During liturgical ceremonies, cardinals wear a cappa magna and use a baldachin. The coat of arms of a cardinal, like that of Jorge Bergoglio when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, is surmounted by a red hat with fifteen tassels on each side.

In papal elections

The cardinal's most critical function is serving as an elector in a conclave to choose a new pope, a right codified by the Third Council of the Lateran. Governed by documents like *Universi Dominici gregis* and *Praedicate evangelium*, the election occurs in the Sistine Chapel under strict secrecy. Cardinals under the age of 80, such as those appointed by Pope Paul VI, are eligible to vote, as seen in the conclaves that elected Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. The dean of the College, often a cardinal bishop like Giovanni Battista Re, presides over the conclave proceedings until a new Bishop of Rome is announced from the Loggia of the Blessings.

Category:Cardinals Category:Catholic Church hierarchy Category:Positions within the Holy See