Cardinal (Catholic Church)

Cardinal (Catholic Church)
Name	Cardinal
Caption	A Roman Catholic cardinal in red choir dress
Occupation	Prelate

Cardinal (Catholic Church) is a senior ecclesiastical leader in the Roman Catholic Church who serves as principal clergy of the Holy See and advisers to the Pope. Cardinals form the membership of the College of Cardinals and have the exclusive authority to elect a new Pope in a conclave when assembled. Historically associated with the Diocese of Rome, cardinals have held significant roles in papal diplomacy, administration of the Apostolic See, and governance of major archdioceses and Vatican offices.

History

The office of cardinal traces to clergy attached to principal churches in Rome including the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Saint Peter's Basilica, and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. In the medieval period cardinals played central roles at councils such as the First Lateran Council and the Fourth Lateran Council. The term entered common usage during the pontificates of Pope Sylvester II and Pope Gregory VII as popes centralized authority in the Curia Romana. Cardinals participated in diplomatic missions to courts such as the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdom of France, and the Kingdom of England and were influential during events like the Investiture Controversy and the Avignon Papacy. Reforms by Pope Innocent III, Pope Pius X, and later Pope Paul VI reshaped cardinalatial functions, including limits on age for participation in papal elections instituted by Pope Paul VI and later codified by Pope John Paul II.

Role and Responsibilities

Cardinals serve as principal advisers to the Pope and often govern major archdioceses, such as the Archdiocese of Milan, the Archdiocese of Paris, and the Archdiocese of New York. Many lead departments of the Roman Curia including the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Bishops, and the Secretariat of State. Cardinals represent the Holy See in relations with states such as the United States, the People's Republic of China, and the United Kingdom via nuncios and envoys in missions like the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States. Historically cardinals have presided at ecumenical gatherings like the Council of Trent and ecumenical dialogues with churches including the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion. They may oversee institutions such as the Vatican Bank and the Pontifical Gregorian University.

Appointment and Ranks

Cardinals are appointed by the Pope in a consistory. Formal creation has taken place under pontificates including Pope Urban II, Pope Innocent III, and Pope Benedict XVI. The three traditional ranks are cardinal-bishop, cardinal-priest, and cardinal-deacon. Cardinal-bishops historically governed the suburbicarian sees around Rome such as Ostia and Velletri, and in modern times include patriarchs of Eastern Catholic Churches like the Maronite Church and the Syro-Malabar Church. Cardinal-priests typically are diocesan bishops of major sees including Archdiocese of Turin and Archdiocese of Cologne. Cardinal-deacons often head curial offices such as the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See or serve as officials within the Apostolic Signatura. Notable creations under specific popes include the consistories of Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis, which reshaped the geographic composition to include cardinals from Africa, Asia, and Latin America such as leaders from the Archdiocese of Lagos and the Archdiocese of Manila.

College of Cardinals

The College of Cardinals convenes for consistories, congregations, and for the conclave to elect a Pope. Historically it has met with figures from the Holy Roman Empire and negotiated issues like temporal control of the Papal States. The college elects the Dean of the College of Cardinals, often drawn from cardinals such as those from Rome and the suburbicarian sees. The body issues proclamations, advises on appointments to episcopal sees like Canterbury or Lisbon, and supervises papal transitions observed in conclaves held in the Sistine Chapel. Prominent cardinals have included members drawn from the Jesuit order, the Franciscan order, and the Dominican order, and individuals who later became popes such as Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II.

Privileges, Duties, and Ceremonies

Cardinals wear distinctive red birettas and cassocks symbolic of their willingness to shed blood for the Church, a tradition associated with ceremonies at St. Peter's Basilica. They have roles in liturgical celebrations with the Pope in the Vatican and preside at episcopal ordinations in cathedrals including Notre-Dame de Paris. Cardinals receive titles linked to Roman churches such as San Lorenzo in Lucina and Santa Maria in Trastevere. They serve on tribunals like the Apostolic Signatura and advisory bodies such as the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. In diplomatic contexts cardinals may act as legates to events such as the Synod of Bishops or represent the Holy See at state functions including audiences with heads of state from Italy or delegations to the United Nations.

Eligibility, Retirement, and Succession

Eligibility for appointment to the cardinalate is determined by the Pope and can include bishops, priests, and, historically, deacons tied to Roman churches. The 1970s reforms by Pope Paul VI and later rules under Pope John Paul II set the voting age limit of 80 for participation in a conclave and procedures for renunciation of rights. Retirement norms apply to curial officials and diocesan bishops who submit resignations at ages prescribed by canon law as promulgated by Pope Paul VI and revised by subsequent pontiffs. Succession to episcopal sees or curial offices often involves nomination by the Dicastery for Bishops and confirmation by the Pope, with interregna managed by apostolic administrators or vicars, and papal elections resolved by conclave within the Sistine Chapel under protocols refined by documents like the apostolic constitution issued by Pope Paul VI and amended by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

Category:Roman Catholic Church