View source for Cardinal (Catholic Church)

{{Short description|Senior church official}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Catholic Church Hierarchy}}
[[File:Template-Cardinal_(Bishop).svg|right|thumb|The coat of arms of a cardinal (who is a bishop or archbishop) is indicated by a red [[galero]] (wide-brimmed hat) with 15 tassels on each side (the [[motto]] and [[Escutcheon (heraldry)|escutcheon]] are proper to the individual cardinal).]]
A '''cardinal''' ({{langx|la|Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae cardinalis|lit=cardinal of the Holy Roman Church}}) is a senior member of the [[clergy]] of the [[Catholic Church]]. As titular members of the clergy of the [[Diocese of Rome]], they serve as advisors to the [[pope]], who is the bishop of Rome. Cardinals are chosen and formally created by the pope, and typically hold the title for life. Collectively, they constitute the [[College of Cardinals]]. The most solemn responsibility of the cardinals is to elect a new pope in a [[Papal conclave|conclave]], almost always from among themselves (with a few historical exceptions), when the [[Holy See]] is [[Sede vacante#Vacancy of the Holy See|vacant]]. During the period between a pope's death or resignation and the election of his successor, the day-to-day governance of the Holy See is in the hands of the College of Cardinals. The right to participate in a conclave is limited to cardinals who have not reached the age of 80 years by the day the vacancy occurs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Roles of Bishop, Archbishop and Cardinal Explained|url=https://dol-in.org/role-of-bishops-archbishops-and-cardinals-explained|website=Diocese of Lafayette-In-Indiana|access-date=23 June 2023|archive-date=23 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623151846/https://dol-in.org/role-of-bishops-archbishops-and-cardinals-explained|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, cardinals collectively participate in [[Papal consistory|papal consistories]], in which matters of importance to the Church are considered and new cardinals may be created. Cardinals of working age are also appointed to roles overseeing [[Dicastery|dicasteries]] 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. Most cardinals are [[Bishop (Catholic Church)#Diocesan bishops or eparchs|bishops]] and [[Archbishop|archbishops]] leading [[Diocese|dioceses]] and [[Archdiocese|archdioceses]] around the world – often the most prominent diocese or archdiocese in their country. Others are [[Titular bishop|titular bishops]] who are current or former officials within the Roman Curia (generally the heads of dicasteries and other bodies linked to the Curia). A very small number are priests recognised by the pope for their service to the Church; canon law requires them to be generally [[Consecration#Roman Catholic Church|consecrated]] as bishops before they are made cardinals,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib2-cann330-367_en.html|title=Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church|website=Vatican State|year=1983|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190408012310/https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib2-cann330-367_en.html|archive-date=April 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> but some are granted a papal dispensation.{{efn|The most recent recipient of such a dispensation ({{as of|2020|lc=y}}) is [[Raniero Cantalamessa]].<ref>{{cite news |access-date=28 March 2021 |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/11/majority-of-cardinals-designate-expected-to-attend-consistory/ |date=19 November 2020 |title=Majority of cardinals-designate expected to attend consistory |agency=Catholic News Service |first=Carol |last=Glatz |work=Crux |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225223942/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/11/majority-of-cardinals-designate-expected-to-attend-consistory/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} There are no strict criteria for elevation to the College of Cardinals. Since 1917, a potential cardinal must already be at least a priest, but laymen have been cardinals in the past. The selection is entirely up to the pope, and tradition is his only guide.

{{#section:List of current cardinals|as of}} [[List of current cardinals|there are {{#section:List of current cardinals|all}} serving cardinals]], of whom {{#section:List of current cardinals|electors}} are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope.

== History ==
{{Further|Papal selection before 1059}}
[[File:Richelieu,_por_Philippe_de_Champaigne_(detalle).jpg|thumb|[[Cardinal Richelieu]], chief minister of [[Kingdom of France|France]]]]
There is general disagreement about the origin of the term, but a chief consensus is that the [[Latin]] {{lang|la|cardinalis}} comes from the term {{Wikt-lang|la|cardo}} (meaning 'pivot' or 'hinge'), and was first used in [[late antiquity]] to designate a bishop or priest who was incorporated into a church for which he had not originally been ordained. In [[Rome]] the first persons to be called cardinals were the deacons of the seven regions of the city at the beginning of the 6th century, when the word began to mean 'principal', 'eminent', or 'superior'. The name was also given to the senior priest in each of the "title" churches (the parish churches) of Rome and to the bishops of the seven sees surrounding the city. By the 8th century the Roman cardinals constituted a privileged class among the Roman clergy. They took part in the administration of the Church of Rome and in the papal liturgy. By decree of [[Lateran Council (769)|a synod of 769]], only a cardinal was eligible to become Bishop of Rome. Cardinals were granted the privilege of wearing the red hat by Pope [[Innocent IV]] in 1244.<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica.</ref>{{expand reference|date=February 2025}}

In cities other than Rome, the name cardinal began to be applied to certain churchmen as a mark of honour. The earliest example of this occurs in a letter sent by [[Pope Zacharias]] in 747 to [[Pepin the Short|Pippin the Younger]], ruler of the [[Franks]], in which Zacharias applied the title to the priests of [[Paris]] to distinguish them from country clergy. This meaning of the word spread rapidly, and from the 9th century various episcopal cities had a special class among the clergy known as cardinals. The use of the title was reserved for the cardinals of Rome in 1567 by [[Pius V]].

In 1059 (five years after the [[East-West Schism]]), the right of electing the pope was reserved to the principal clergy of Rome and the bishops of the seven [[Suburbicarian diocese|suburbicarian sees]]. In the 12th century the practice of appointing ecclesiastics from outside Rome as cardinals began, with each of them assigned a church in Rome as his [[titular church]] or linked with one of the suburbicarian dioceses, while still being incardinated in a diocese other than that of Rome.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

The term ''cardinal'' at one time applied to any priest permanently assigned or [[incardinated]] to a church,<ref name="CE-cardinal">{{CathEncy|wstitle=Cardinal|title=Cardinal|last=Sägmüller|first=Johannes Baptist}}</ref> or specifically to the senior priest of an important church, based on the Latin {{lang|la|cardo}} ('hinge'), meaning 'pivotal' as in "principal" or "chief". The term was applied in this sense as early as the 9th century to the priests of the {{lang|la|tituli}} ([[Parish|parishes]]) of the [[diocese of Rome]].<ref name="CE-cardinal" />

In the year 1563, the Ecumenical Council of Trent, headed by Pope [[Pius IV]], wrote about the importance of selecting good cardinals: "nothing is more necessary to the Church of God than that the holy Roman pontiff apply that solicitude which by the duty of his office he owes the universal Church in a very special way by associating with himself as cardinals the most select persons only, and appoint to each church most eminently upright and competent shepherds; and this the more so, because our Lord [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] will require at his hands the blood of the sheep of Christ that perish through the evil government of shepherds who are negligent and forgetful of their office."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Catholic bishops and Pope Pius IV|title=The Council of Trent|date=11 November 1563|publisher=Tan Books and Publishers}}</ref>

The earlier influence of temporal rulers, notably the [[kings of France]], reasserted itself through the influence of cardinals of certain nationalities or politically significant movements. Traditions even developed entitling certain monarchs, including those of Austria, Spain, and France, to nominate one of their trusted clerical subjects to be created cardinal, a so-called "[[crown-cardinal]]".<ref name="Chadwick">{{cite book|last1=Chadwick|first1=Owen|title=The Popes and European Revolution|date=1981|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780198269199|page=[https://archive.org/details/popeseuropeanrev0000chad/page/266 266]|url=https://archive.org/details/popeseuropeanrev0000chad|url-access=registration}}</ref>

In [[Early modern period|early modern]] times, cardinals often had important roles in secular affairs. In some cases, they took on powerful positions in government. In [[Henry VIII]]'s England, his chief minister was for some time [[Thomas Wolsey|Cardinal Wolsey]]. [[Cardinal Richelieu]]'s power was so great that he was for many years effectively the ruler of France.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Webster|first=Henry Kitchell|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rXSqwPFMn3oC|title=Early European History|publisher=Forgotten Books|isbn=978-1-60620-935-6|language=en}}</ref> Richelieu's successor was also a cardinal, [[Cardinal Mazarin|Jules Mazarin]]. [[Guillaume Dubois]] and [[André-Hercule de Fleury]] complete the list of the four great cardinals to have ruled France.<ref name="Chadwick" /> In Portugal, due to a succession crisis, one cardinal, [[Henry, King of Portugal|Henry of Portugal]], was crowned king, the only example of a cardinal-king (although [[John II Casimir Vasa]] was a cardinal from 1646 until he resigned in 1647, later being elected and crowned King of Poland, in 1648 and 1649, respectively).<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church - Biographical Dictionary - Consistory of May 28, 1646|url=https://cardinals.fiu.edu/bios1646.htm|access-date=2024-08-07|website=cardinals.fiu.edu}}</ref>

While the incumbents of some sees are regularly made cardinals, and some countries are entitled to at least one cardinal by [[concordat]] (usually earning either its [[Primate (bishop)|primate]] or the metropolitan of the capital city the cardinal's hat), almost no see carries an actual right to the cardinalate, not even if its bishop is a [[Patriarch#Catholic Church|patriarch]]: the notable exception is the [[Patriarch of Lisbon]] who, by [[Pope Clement XII]]'s 1737 bull {{lang|la|[[Inter praecipuas apostolici ministerii]]}}, is accorded the right to be elevated to the rank of cardinal in the consistory following his appointment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patriarcado-lisboa.pt/site/index.php?id=6788|title=Notas históricas sobre o Tricentenário do Patriarcado de Lisboa|language=pt|trans-title=Historical notes on the Tricentennial of the Patriarchate of Lisbon|author=Manuel Clemente|author-link=Manuel Clemente|date=1 July 2016|publisher=Patriarchate of Lisbon|access-date=17 November 2020|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613024252/http://www.patriarcado-lisboa.pt/site/index.php?id=6788|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Papal elections ==
In 1059, [[Pope Nicholas II]] gave cardinals the right to elect the [[Bishop of Rome]] in the [[papal bull]] {{lang|la|[[In nomine Domini]]}}. For a time this power was assigned exclusively to the cardinal bishops, but in 1179 the [[Third Lateran Council]] restored the right to the whole body of cardinals.<ref name="TCE1">{{cite book|last=Fanning|first=W.|title=The Catholic Encyclopaedia|publisher=Robert Appleton Company|year=1911|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780840731753|chapter=Papal Elections|isbn=0840731752|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780840731753}}</ref>

== Numbers ==
In 1586, [[Pope Sixtus V]] limited the number of cardinals to 70:<ref>{{cite news|access-date=25 October 2017|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1958/11/18/83425668.pdf|first=Arnaldo|last=Cortesi|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=18 November 2017|title=Two Americans among 23 New Cardinals}}</ref> six cardinal bishops, 50 cardinal priests, and 14 cardinal deacons. [[Pope John XXIII]] exceeded that limit citing the need to staff church offices.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1958/12/16/83430914.pdf|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=25 October 2017|date=16 December 1958|title=Pope Elevates 33 to Cardinalate; Deplores China Church Schism|first=Arnoldo|last=Cortesi}}</ref> In November 1970, in {{lang|la|[[Ingravescentem aetatem]]}}, [[Pope Paul VI]] established that electors would be under the age of 80 years. When it took effect on 1 January 1971, it deprived 25 cardinals of the right to participate in a conclave.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hoffman|first1=Paul|title=Voting for Popes Is Barred to Cardinals Over 80|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/11/24/archives/voting-for-popes-is-barred-to-cardinals-over-80-prelates-over-80.html|access-date=30 October 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=24 November 1970|archive-date=26 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826090048/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/11/24/archives/voting-for-popes-is-barred-to-cardinals-over-80-prelates-over-80.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 1975 in {{lang|la|[[Romano Pontifici eligendo]]}}, he set the maximum number of electors at 120, while establishing no limit on the overall size of the college.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Iv8pAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA101|page=101|title=Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church|first=Thomas J.|last=Reese|date=1998|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=9780674418028}}</ref>

Popes can [[Dispensation (Catholic Church)|set aside]] church laws<ref>[http://newcesite.com/2008/02/08/81136/ Are There Any Limitations on the Power of the Pope?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714172232/http://newcesite.com/2008/02/08/81136/|date=14 July 2011}}.</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Mickens|first1=Robert|title=Letter from Rome The Next Stage of Francis's Mission|url=https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/letter-rome-121|access-date=9 July 2017|work=Commonwealth Magazine|date=24 April 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005954/https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/letter-rome-121|url-status=live}}</ref> and they have regularly brought the number of cardinals under the age of 80 to more than 120, reaching as high as 140 with [[Cardinals created by Francis#7 December 2024|Pope Francis' consistory]] of December 2024.<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/pope-francis-creates-21-new-cardinals/a-70990148 Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals]</ref> No more than 120 electors have ever participated in a [[Papal conclave|conclave]], but most canon lawyers believe that if their number exceeded 120 they would all participate.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tHsltdTp6OgC&q=allen+%22violates+canon+law%22&pg=PT90|first=John L. Jr.|last=Allen|title=Conclave: The Politics, Personalities, and Process of the Next Papal Election|date=2002|publisher=Random House|page=107|quote=Most canon lawyers take the opinion that the pope, in appointing more electors than anticipated by ''Universi Dominici Gregis'', made an exception to his own rules and hence all the cardinals under eighty, regardless of the limit of 120, are eligible to enter the conclave. (Canon lawyers ruefully joke that nobody violates canon law like a pope.) As a political matter, it seems probable that all cardinals under eighty will be admitted regardless of the wording of ''Universi Dominici Gregis'' because the task of trying to decide who cannot enter could paralyze the process indefinitely.|isbn=9780385504560|access-date=15 October 2020|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207054003/https://books.google.com/books?id=tHsltdTp6OgC&q=allen+%22violates+canon+law%22&pg=PT90#v=snippet&q=allen%20%22violates%20canon%20law%22&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|The rule set out in {{lang|la|[[Universi Dominici gregis]]}} is that "No Cardinal elector can be excluded from active or passive voice in the election of the Supreme Pontiff, for any reason or pretext."}}

Pope Paul VI also increased the number of cardinal bishops by assigning that rank, in 1965, to patriarchs of the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] when named cardinals.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1965/02/23/97186241.pdf|access-date=26 October 2017|date=23 February 1965|title=Pontiff Installs 27 New Cardinals|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207054018/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1965/02/23/97186241.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=11 February 1965|url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19650211_ad-purpuratorum_lt.html|author=Pope Paul VI|title=Ad purpuratorum Patrum|publisher=Libreria Editrice Vaticana|access-date=3 December 2017|archive-date=5 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405065059/http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19650211_ad-purpuratorum_lt.html|url-status=live}}]</ref> In 2018, Pope Francis expanded the cardinal bishops of Roman title, because this had not been done despite recent decades' expansion in the two lower orders of cardinals, besides having all six such cardinals being over the age limit for a conclave.

== Titular churches ==
{{Main|Titular church|List of titular churches}}
[[File:Theodor_Kardinal_Innitzer_-001-.jpg|thumb|[[Theodor Innitzer|Cardinal Innitzer]], [[Archbishop of Vienna]] and Cardinal-Priest of [[San Crisogono]], pictured in the early 1930s]]
Each cardinal is assigned a [[titular church]] upon his creation, which is always a church in the [[city of Rome]]. Through the process of opting ({{lang|it|optazione}}), a cardinal can rise through the ranks from cardinal deacon to priest, and from cardinal priest to that of cardinal bishop – in which case he obtains one of the [[Suburbicarian diocese|suburbicarian sees]] located around the city of Rome.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Witte|first=Arnold|date=2019-12-09|title=Cardinals and Their Titular Churches|url=https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004415447/BP000027.xml|journal=A Companion to the Early Modern Cardinal|language=en|pages=333–350|doi=10.1163/9789004415447_023|isbn=9789004415447|s2cid=213779632|access-date=26 April 2022|archive-date=12 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512152159/https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004415447/BP000027.xml|url-status=live}}</ref> The only exception is for patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches.<ref name="Paul VI. 1965">Pope Paul VI., Motuproprio "Ad Purpuratorum Patrum Collegium" (11 February 1965), par. II.</ref> Nevertheless, cardinals possess no power of governance nor are they to intervene in any way in matters which pertain to the administration of goods, discipline, or the service of their titular churches.<ref>Code of Canon law: 357-1.</ref> They are allowed to celebrate [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] and hear confessions and lead visits and pilgrimages to their titular churches, in coordination with the staff of the church. They often support their churches monetarily, and many cardinals do keep in contact with the pastoral staffs of their titular churches.

The [[Dean of the College of Cardinals]] in addition to such a titular church also receives the [[Bishop of Ostia|titular bishopric of Ostia]], the primary suburbicarian see. Cardinals governing a [[particular church]] retain that church.<ref>Code of Canon law: 350.</ref>

== Title and reference style ==
In 1630, [[Pope Urban VIII]] decreed their title to be ''[[His Eminence|Eminence]]'' (previously, it had been {{lang|it|illustrissimo}} and {{lang|it|reverendissimo}}){{efn|"They were formerly called {{lang|it|illustrissimi}} and {{lang|it|reverendissimi}}; but Pope Urban VIII (of the Barberini family), in 1630, established the above as their title of honour." Edward Wigglesworth, Thomas Gamaliel Bradford: Encyclopædia Americana: a popular dictionary of arts, sciences. Volume 4, page 493.}} and decreed that their secular rank would equate to prince, making them second only to the pope and crowned monarchs.{{efn|"As the exclusive electors of the pope (at least since 1179), cardinals were deemed to be the ecclesiastical equivalents of the Holy Roman Empire's 'Prince-Electors,' an extremely elite group with precedence over all other nobility (including archdukes, dukes and counts), who were tasked with the responsibility of electing Holy Roman Emperors{{nbsp}}[...] A decree of 10 June 1630, by Urban VII bestowed the title "His Eminence", historically reserved for high nobility, upon the cardinals, thus elevating them above 'His Excellency', then being used to refer to Italian princes." Guruge, Anura. The Next Pope. Alton, New Hampshire. 2010. p. 81.}}{{efn|"Authoritarian, keenly conscious of his position, Urban kept business in his own hands and rarely discussed it with his cardinals: to compensate them he gave them the rank of princes of the church and a right to the title of 'eminence' (June 1630)." ''Oxford Dictionary of Popes'', Urban VIII}}

In accordance with tradition, they sign by placing the title "Cardinal" (abbreviated ''Card.'') after their personal name and before their surname as, for instance, "John Card(inal) Doe" or, in [[Latin]], "Ioannes Card(inalis) Doe". Some writers, such as James-Charles Noonan,<ref>Noonan, ''The Church Visible'', p. 205.</ref> hold that, in the case of cardinals, the form used for signatures should be used also when referring to them in English. However, official sources, such as the [[Catholic News Service]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stylebook/stylebooksample.pdf|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20051212193819/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stylebook/stylebooksample.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 December 2005|title=Catholic News Service|website=www.catholicnews.com}}</ref> say that the correct form for referring to a cardinal in English is normally as "Cardinal [First name] [Surname]". This is the rule given also in stylebooks not associated with the church.<ref>{{Cite web|date=31 December 2010|title=cardinal|url=http://religionstylebook.com/entries/cardinal|access-date=10 November 2020|website=Religion Stylebook|language=en-US|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124190002/https://religionstylebook.com/entries/cardinal|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usfca.edu/uploadedFiles/Destinations/Offices_and_Services/Communications_and_Marketing/docs/USF_StyleGuide.pdf|title=University of San Francisco Editorial Style Guide: "On first reference capitalize these titles before the individual's name: Cardinal Timothy Manning, archbishop of Los Angeles"|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212305/http://www.usfca.edu/uploadedFiles/Destinations/Offices_and_Services/Communications_and_Marketing/docs/USF_StyleGuide.pdf|archive-date=4 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://neilreisner.com/class_docs/ap_guide.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205002906/http://neilreisner.com/class_docs/ap_guide.pdf|archive-date=2014-12-05|url-status=live|title=Associated Press Style Guide: "The preferred form for first reference is{{nbsp}}[...] Cardinal Daniel DiNardo"}}</ref><ref>"At first reference Cardinal John Doe. At subsequent references the cardinal or Doe" ([http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php?title=R&oldid=514#32.34 Reuters Handbook of Journalism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715175423/http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php?title=R&oldid=514#32.34|date=15 July 2011}}).</ref> This style is also generally followed on the websites of the Holy See and [[Episcopal conference|episcopal conferences]].<ref>The websites of [https://www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm the Holy See] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429221033/http://www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm|date=29 April 2014}} (except for signatures), and of the Episcopal Conferences in [http://www.usccb.org/ the United States] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712084451/http://www.usccb.org/|date=12 July 2018}}, [http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/ccb/catholic_church/the_church_in_england_and_wales/cardinal England and Wales] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820211646/http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/ccb/catholic_church/the_church_in_england_and_wales/cardinal|date=20 August 2008}}, [http://www.catholiccommunications.ie/Dioceses/armagh.html Ireland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724160215/http://www.catholiccommunications.ie/Dioceses/armagh.html|date=24 July 2008}} and the [http://www.acbc.catholic.org.au/bishops/bcmembers.asp Australia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720145633/http://www.acbc.catholic.org.au/bishops/bcmembers.asp|date=20 July 2008}} agree with the stylebooks. The [http://www.bpsconfscot.com/Members/tabid/426/Default.aspx Bishops' Conference of Scotland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511233725/http://www.bpsconfscot.com/Members/tabid/426/Default.aspx|date=11 May 2008}} uses both styles side by side. On diocesan sites, the "John Cardinal Doe" style is found on, for example, those of [http://www.rcab.org/People/cardinalOMalley.html Boston] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227125038/http://www.rcab.org/People/cardinalOMalley.html|date=27 February 2009}}, [https://web.archive.org/web/19961029034800/http://www.archdiocese-chgo.org/ Chicago], [http://www.dublindiocese.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=19&Itemid=30 Dublin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408091832/http://dublindiocese.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=19&Itemid=30|date=8 April 2007}}, [http://www.archny.org/about-us/edward-cardinal-egan/ New York] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703171151/http://archny.org/about-us/edward-cardinal-egan/|date=3 July 2008}}, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070708110901/http://www.archtoronto.org/about_us/cardinal_bishops.html Toronto], [http://www.adw.org/about/our_bishops.asp Washington] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070401083114/http://www.adw.org/about/our_bishops.asp|date=1 April 2007}}, [http://www.diogh.org/bishops_dinardo.htm Galveston-Houston] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124143721/http://diogh.org/bishops_dinardo.htm|date=24 November 2010}}, [http://www.aodonline.org/AODOnline/Meet+the+Bishops+12188/Adam+Cardinal+Maida+2244/Tribute.htm Detroit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223150158/http://www.aodonline.org/AODOnline/Meet+the+Bishops+12188/Adam+Cardinal+Maida+2244/Tribute.htm|date=23 December 2010}}, [http://www.sacbc.org.za/Site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=30 Durban] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219020531/http://www.sacbc.org.za/Site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=30|date=19 February 2008}}, [https://web.archive.org/web/20071026102440/http://www.archdioceseofcolombo.com/2_1.php Colombo], [http://archbom.org/ Bombay] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219064809/http://www.archbom.org/|date=19 February 2011}}, and the "Cardinal John Doe" on, for example, those of [http://www.armagharchdiocese.org/cardinal Armagh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526082242/http://www.armagharchdiocese.org/cardinal|date=26 May 2008}},[http://www.archdiocese.la/archbishop/profile.html Los Angeles] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029192113/http://www.archdiocese.la/archbishop/profile.html|date=29 October 2007}}, [http://www.archdiocese-phl.org/rigali/biorigali.htm Philadelphia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517010920/http://www.archdiocese-phl.org/rigali/biorigali.htm|date=17 May 2008}}, [http://www.archdiocese-edinburgh.org.uk/cardinal_about.htm St Andrews and Edinburgh] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907161019/http://www.archdiocese-edinburgh.org.uk/cardinal_about.htm|date=7 September 2008}}, [http://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/?sid=10 Wellington] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014052559/http://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/?sid=10|date=14 October 2008}}, [http://www.rcdow.org.uk/cardinal/default.asp?library_ref=1&category_ref=8 Westminster] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929094520/http://www.rcdow.org.uk/cardinal/default.asp?library_ref=1&category_ref=8|date=29 September 2006}}.</ref> Oriental patriarchs who are created cardinals customarily use {{lang|la|Sanctae Ecclesiae Cardinalis}} as their full title,<ref>cfr. "Klaus Ganzer, Kardinäle als Kirchenfürsten?" in ''Stimmen der Zeit'' 2011, issue 5, pp. 313–323.</ref> probably because they do not belong to the Roman clergy.<ref name="Paul VI. 1965" />

The "[First name] Cardinal [Surname]" order is used in the [[Latin language|Latin]] [[Habemus Papam|proclamation]] of the election of a new pope by the cardinal protodeacon,{{efn|"{{lang|la|Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus Papam: Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum}} [first name] {{lang|la|Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem}} [last name], ..."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/elezione/index_en.htm|title=Election – BENEDICT XVI|website=www.vatican.va|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-date=6 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906231957/http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/elezione/index_en.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> (Meaning: "I announce to you a great joy; we have a Pope: The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord, Lord [first name] Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church [last name], ...")}} if the new pope is a cardinal, as has been the case since 1389.

The title ''Prince of the Church'' has historically been applied to cardinals of the Catholic Church, and sometimes more broadly to senior members of the church hierarchy. It has been rejected by [[Pope Francis]], who stated to a group of newly created cardinals "He (Jesus) does not call you to become 'princes' of the Church, to 'sit on his right or on his left.' He calls you to serve like Him and with Him."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.romereports.com/en/2017/06/28/pope-to-new-cardinals-jesus-does-not-call-you-to-be-princes-of-the-church-but-to-serve/|title=Pope to new cardinals: Jesus does not call you to be "princes" of the Church, but to serve|date=28 June 2017|access-date=20 May 2023|archive-date=2 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502121007/https://www.romereports.com/en/2017/06/28/pope-to-new-cardinals-jesus-does-not-call-you-to-be-princes-of-the-church-but-to-serve/|url-status=live}}</ref> The title is still applied contemporarily, both officially and other times in criticism of the perceived attitudes of some cardinals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-12/pope-francis-vatican-george-pell-dies/101846766#:~:text=Cardinal%20Pell%20died%20of%20heart%20complications%20during%20a,a%20Vatican%20journalist%20and%20author%20told%20the%20ABC|title='Felt himself to be a prince': Vatican comes to grips with the death of George Pell|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=11 January 2023|access-date=20 May 2023|archive-date=20 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520221759/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-12/pope-francis-vatican-george-pell-dies/101846766#:~:text=Cardinal%20Pell%20died%20of%20heart%20complications%20during%20a,a%20Vatican%20journalist%20and%20author%20told%20the%20ABC|url-status=live|author-first1=Isabella|author-last1=Higgins}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mup.com.au/books/prince-of-the-church-hardback|title=Prince of the Church, Philip Ayres|date=July 2007|access-date=20 May 2023|archive-date=10 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510123615/https://www.mup.com.au/books/prince-of-the-church-hardback|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Orders and their chief offices ==
[[File:Vetements_cardinal_Gamarelli.jpg|right|thumb|[[Choir dress]] of a cardinal]]

=== Cardinal bishops ===
[[File:Sodano.jpg|thumb|[[Angelo Sodano]] was [[Dean of the College of Cardinals]] from 2005 to 2019.]]
Cardinal bishops (cardinals of the episcopal order; {{Langx|la|cardinales episcopi}}) are the senior order of cardinals. Though in modern times the vast majority of cardinals are also [[Bishop (Catholic Church)|bishops]] or [[archbishops]], few are "cardinal bishops". For most of the second millennium there were six cardinal bishops, each presiding over one of the seven [[Suburbicarian diocese|suburbicarian sees]] around Rome: [[Bishop of Ostia|Ostia]], [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano|Albano]], [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Porto-Santa Rufina|Porto and Santa Rufina]], [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Palestrina|Palestrina]], [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto|Sabina and Mentana]], [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Frascati|Frascati]], and [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri-Segni|Velletri]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=6YCpraE-7xcC&pg=PA468 John P. Beal, ''New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law''] (Paulist Press 2000 {{ISBN|978-0-80910502-1}}), p. 468.</ref>{{clarify|reason=shouldn't there be 7 then...?|date=January 2025}} Velletri was united with Ostia from 1150 until 1914, when [[Pope Pius X]] separated them again, but decreed that whichever cardinal bishop became [[Dean of the College of Cardinals]] would keep the suburbicarian see he already held, adding to it that of Ostia, with the result that there continued to be only six cardinal bishops.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11346a.htm Umberto Benigni, "Ostia and Velletri" in ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' (New York 1911)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130911061217/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11346a.htm|date=11 September 2013}}; [https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS%2006%20%5B1914%5D%20-%20ocr.pdf Pope Pius X, motu proprio ''Edita a Nobis'' of 5 May 1914 in ''Acta Apostolicae Sedis'' VI (1914), pp. 219–220] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303051148/https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS%2006%20%5B1914%5D%20-%20ocr.pdf|date=3 March 2013}}; {{cite web|url=http://www.ewtn.com/holysee/interregnum/laws.asp|title=History of Papal Electoral Law|website=www.ewtn.com|access-date=1 September 2013|archive-date=17 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517135110/http://www.ewtn.com/holysee/Interregnum/laws.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 1962, the cardinal bishops have only a [[Titular church|titular]] relationship with the suburbicarian sees, each of which is governed by a separate [[Ordinary (Catholic Church)|ordinary]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/la/motu_proprio/documents/hf_j-xxiii_motu-proprio_19620411_suburbicariis-sedibus.html|language=la|access-date=2 November 2017|date=9 April 1962|title=Suburbicariis sedibus|publisher=Libreria Editrice Vaticana|author=Pope John XXIII|archive-date=19 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519135053/http://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/la/motu_proprio/documents/hf_j-xxiii_motu-proprio_19620411_suburbicariis-sedibus.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Until 1961, membership in the order of cardinal bishops was achieved through precedence in the [[College of Cardinals]]. When a suburbicarian see fell vacant, the most senior cardinal by precedence could exercise his option to claim the see and be promoted to the order of cardinal bishops.<ref name="droit">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=15wpAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA136|pages=136–40, esp. 137–8 "Comment se fait l'option"|language=fr|chapter=Le Droit d'Option des Cardinaux|title=Annuaire pontifical catholique|date=1908|volume=XI|location=Paris|publisher=Maison de la Bonne Presse|access-date=6 March 2021|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207053858/https://books.google.com/books?id=15wpAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA136#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|In certain periods there were additional requirements. Since the 16th century, only a cardinal who was present within 25 [[League (unit)|league]]s of Rome when the vacancy occurred could exercise the option. When the see of [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Frascati|Frascati]] became vacant upon the death of Cardinal [[Tommaso Maria Zigliara|Tommaso Zigliara]] on 11 May 1893, Cardinal [[Francesco Ricci Paracciani]] was in Siena, which disqualified him and allowed Cardinal [[Serafino Vannutelli]] to exercise the option and become cardinal bishop of Frascati.<ref name=droit/><ref>{{cite book |access-date=6 March 2021 |page=704 |title=Acta Sanctae Sedis |url=http://www.vatican.va/archive/ass/documents/ASS-26-1893-94-ocr.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621172124/http://www.vatican.va/archive/ass/documents/ASS-26-1893-94-ocr.pdf |archive-date=2015-06-21 |url-status=live |date=1893–94 |volume=XXVI}}</ref>}} [[Pope John XXIII]] abolished that privilege on 10 March 1961 and made the right to promote someone to the order of cardinal bishops the sole prerogative of the pope.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/la/motu_proprio/documents/hf_j-xxiii_motu-proprio_19610310_ad-suburbicarias.html|access-date=5 March 2021|publisher=Libreria Editrice Vaticana|author=John XXIII|title=Ad Suburbicarias Dioeceses|language=la|date=10 March 1961|archive-date=18 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618001345/https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/la/motu_proprio/documents/hf_j-xxiii_motu-proprio_19610310_ad-suburbicarias.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|He exercised his new authority later that month by appointing [[Giuseppe Ferretto]] cardinal bishop of [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto|Sabina e Poggio Mirteto]] on 26 March 1961.<ref>{{cite book |access-date=6 March 2021 |page= 199 |title=Acta Apostolicae Sedis |url=http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-53-1961-ocr.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412183402/http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-53-1961-ocr.pdf |archive-date=2015-04-12 |url-status=live |date=1961 |volume=LIII}}</ref> Ferretto was the lowest ranking member of the order of cardinal priests and only 62. He had been a cardinal for ten weeks.<ref>{{cite book |access-date=5 March 2021 |title=The Next Pope: After Pope Benedict XVI |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B5JVthemvvwC&pg=PA120 |page=120 |first=Anura |last=Guruge |date=2010 |edition=2nd Revised |publisher=WOWNH LLC |isbn=9780615353722 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207054025/https://books.google.com/books?id=B5JVthemvvwC&pg=PA120#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

In 1965, [[Pope Paul VI]] decreed in his {{lang|la|[[motu proprio]] Ad purpuratorum Patrum Collegium}} that [[Patriarch|patriarchs]] of the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] who were named cardinals (i.e. "cardinal patriarchs") would also be cardinal bishops, ranking after the six Latin Church cardinal bishops of the suburbicarian sees.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ad Purpuratorum Patrum Collegium|url=https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/la/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19650211_ad-purpuratorum.html|publisher=Libreria Editrice Vaticana|access-date=3 December 2017|author=Pope Paul VI|language=la|date=11 February 1965|archive-date=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117204903/https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/la/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19650211_ad-purpuratorum.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ([[Latin Church]] patriarchs who become cardinals are [[Cardinal priest|cardinal priests]], not cardinal bishops: for example [[Angelo Scola]] was made [[Patriarch of Venice]] in 2002 and cardinal priest of [[Santi XII Apostoli]] in 2003.) Those of cardinal patriarch rank continue to hold their patriarchal see and are not assigned any Roman title (suburbicarian see or title or deaconry).

At the June 2018 consistory, [[Pope Francis]] increased the number of Latin Church cardinal bishops to match the expansion in cardinal priests and cardinal deacons in recent decades. He elevated four cardinals to this rank granting their [[Titular church|titular churches]] and deaconries suburbicarian rank {{lang|la|[[pro hac vice]]}} (temporarily)<ref>{{cite web|access-date=26 June 2018|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/06/26/180626c.html|publisher=Holy See Press Office|date=26 June 2018|title=Rescriptum of the Holy Father Francis ...|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024195711/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2018/06/26/180626c.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and making them equivalent to suburbicarian see titles. At the time of the announcement, all six cardinal bishops of suburbicarian see titles, as well as two of the three cardinal patriarchs, were non-electors as they had reached the age of 80.<ref>{{cite news|work=National Catholic Reporter|date=26 June 2018|url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/new-papal-appointments-reflect-popes-wish-transparency|access-date=26 June 2018|title=New papal appointments reflect pope's wish for transparency|agency=Catholic News Service|first=Carol|last=Glatz|archive-date=26 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626192300/https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/new-papal-appointments-reflect-popes-wish-transparency|url-status=live}}</ref> Pope Francis created another cardinal bishop in the same way on 1 May 2020,<ref>{{cite press release|access-date=1 May 2020|date=1 May 2020|language=it|publisher=Holy See Press Office|title=RESCRIPTUM EX AUDIENTIA SS.MI: Rescritto del Santo Padre Francesco con cui ha deciso di cooptare nell'Ordine dei Vescovi, equiparandolo in tutto ai Cardinali insigniti del titolo di una Chiesa suburbicaria, l'Em.mo Cardinale Luis Antonio G. Tagle, 01.05.2020|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2020/05/01/0258/00563.html|archive-date=1 May 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200501182453/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2020/05/01/0258/00563.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RapplerCardinalBishop">{{Cite web|title=Pope promotes Tagle as one of 11 highest ranking cardinals|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/259678-pope-francis-promotes-tagle-cardinal-bishop|last=Esmaquel|first=Paterno II|date=1 May 2020|website=Rappler|language=en|access-date=1 May 2020|archive-date=1 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501192554/https://www.rappler.com/nation/259678-pope-francis-promotes-tagle-cardinal-bishop|url-status=live}}</ref> bringing the number of Latin Church cardinal bishops to 11.

The [[Dean of the College of Cardinals]], the highest ranking cardinal, was formerly the longest serving cardinal bishop, but since 1965 is elected by the Latin Church cardinal bishops from among their number, subject to papal approval. Likewise the Vice-Dean, formerly the second longest serving, is also elected. Seniority of the remaining Latin Church cardinal bishops is still by date of appointment to the rank. The current Dean is [[Giovanni Battista Re]] and the Vice-Dean is [[Leonardo Sandri]].

=== Cardinal priests ===
Cardinal priests ({{Langx|la|cardinales presbyteri}}) are the most numerous of the three orders of cardinals in the Catholic Church, ranking above the cardinal deacons and below the cardinal bishops.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=32336|first=John|last=Hardon|work=Modern Catholic Dictionary|title=Cardinal Priest|publisher=Catholic Culture|access-date=1 September 2013|archive-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630185803/https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=32336|url-status=live}}</ref> Those who are named cardinal priests today are generally also [[Bishop (Catholic Church)|bishops]] of important [[Diocese|dioceses]] throughout the world, though some hold [[Roman Curia|Curial]] positions.

In modern times, the term ''cardinal priest'' is interpreted as meaning a cardinal who is of the order of priests. Originally, however, this referred to certain key priests of important churches of the [[Diocese of Rome]], who were recognized as the {{em|cardinal}} priests – the important priests chosen by the pope to advise him in his duties as [[Bishop]] of [[Diocese of Rome|Rome]]. Certain clerics in many dioceses at the time, not just that of Rome, were said to be the key personnel—the term gradually became exclusive to Rome to indicate those entrusted with electing the Bishop of Rome, the pope.
[[File:Cardinal_Thomas_Wolsey.jpg|left|thumb|Cardinal-priest [[Thomas Wolsey]]]]
While the cardinalate has long been expanded beyond the Roman pastoral clergy and [[Roman Curia]], every cardinal priest has a [[titular church]] in Rome, though they may be bishops or archbishops elsewhere, just as cardinal bishops were given one of the [[Suburbicarian diocese|suburbicarian dioceses]] around Rome. [[Pope Paul VI]] abolished all administrative rights cardinals had with regard to their titular churches, though the cardinal's name and coat of arms are still posted in the church, and they are expected to celebrate Mass and preach there if convenient when they are in Rome.

While the number of cardinals was small from the times of the [[Roman Empire]] to the [[Renaissance]], and frequently smaller than the number of recognized churches entitled to a cardinal priest, in the 16th century the college expanded markedly. In 1587, [[Pope Sixtus V]] sought to arrest this growth by fixing the maximum [[Size of the College of Cardinals|size of the college]] at 70, including 50 cardinal priests, about twice the historical number. This limit was respected until 1958, and the list of titular churches modified only on rare occasions, generally when a building fell into disrepair. When [[Pope John XXIII]] abolished the limit, he began to add new churches to the list, which Popes [[Pope Paul VI|Paul VI]] and [[Pope John Paul II|John Paul II]] continued to do. Today there are close to 150 titular churches, out of over 300 churches in Rome.

The cardinal who is the longest-serving member of the order of cardinal priests is titled ''cardinal [[protopriest]]''. He had certain ceremonial duties in the conclave that have effectively ceased because he would generally have already reached age 80, at which cardinals are barred from the conclave. The current cardinal protopriest is [[Michael Michai Kitbunchu]] of [[Thailand]].

=== Cardinal deacons ===
The cardinal deacons ({{Langx|la|cardinales diaconi}}) are the lowest-ranking cardinals. Cardinals elevated to the diaconal order are either officials of the [[Roman Curia]] or priests elevated after their 80th birthday, chosen mainly for the honor of it (since those over 80 are not able to vote in a conclave). While bishops with diocesan responsibilities are created cardinal priests, it is generally not so for cardinal deacons.

Cardinal deacons derive originally from the seven deacons in the [[Papal Household]] who supervised the church's works in the [[14 regions of Medieval Rome|14 districts of Rome during the early Middle Ages]], when church administration was effectively the [[Papal States|government of Rome]] and provided all [[social services]]. They came to be called "cardinal deacons" by the late eighth century, and they were granted active rights in papal elections and made eligible for the election as pope by the decree of 769.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Noble|first=Thomas F. X.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/10100806|title=The Republic of St. Peter: the birth of the Papal State, 680–825|date=1984|isbn=0-8122-7917-4|location=Philadelphia|pages=218|oclc=10100806}}</ref>

Cardinals elevated to the diaconal order are mainly officials of the [[Roman Curia]] holding various posts in the church administration. Their number and influence has varied through the years. While historically predominantly Italian, the group has become much more internationally diverse in later years. While in 1939 about half were Italian, by 1994 the number was reduced to one third. Their influence in the election of the pope has been considered important. They are better informed and connected than the dislocated cardinals but their level of unity has been varied.<ref name="Thomas J. Reese pp. 92–93">Thomas J. Reese,  ''Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church'', Harvard University Press, 1996 pp. 92–93.</ref> Under the 1587 decree of [[Pope Sixtus V]], which fixed the maximum size of the College of Cardinals, there were 14 cardinal deacons. Later the number increased. As late as 1939 almost half of the cardinals were members of the Curia. Pius XII reduced this percentage to 24 percent. John XXIII brought it back up to 37 percent but Paul VI brought it down to 27 percent. John Paul II maintained this ratio.<ref name="Thomas J. Reese pp. 92–93" />

As of 2005, there were over 50 churches recognized as cardinalatial deaconries, though there were only 30 cardinals of the order of deacons. Cardinal deacons have long enjoyed the right to "opt for the order of cardinal priests" ({{lang|it|optazione}}) after they have been cardinal deacons for 10 years. They may on such elevation take a vacant "[[Titular church|title]]" (a church allotted to a cardinal priest as the church in Rome with which he is associated) or their diaconal church may be temporarily elevated to a cardinal priest's "title" for that occasion. When elevated to cardinal priests, they take their precedence according to the day they were first made cardinal deacons (thus ranking above cardinal priests who were elevated to the college after them, regardless of order).

When not celebrating Mass, but still serving a liturgical function, such as the semiannual {{lang|la|[[Urbi et Orbi]]}} [[papal blessing]], some [[Papal Mass|Papal Masses]] and some events at Ecumenical Councils, cardinal deacons can be recognized by the [[Dalmatic|dalmatics]] they would don with the simple white mitre (so called {{lang|la|mitra simplex}}).

==== Cardinal protodeacon ====
The cardinal protodeacon is the senior cardinal deacon in order of appointment to the College of Cardinals. If he is a cardinal elector and participates in a conclave, he [[Habemus Papam|announces a new pope's election]] and name{{efn|The cardinal protodeacon does not announce a new pope's name until the pope elect has been ordained a bishop.<ref>Ap. Const. [https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis_en.html Universi Dominici Gregis, No. 89] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070506074146/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis_en.html |date=6 May 2007 }}.</ref>}} from the central balcony of [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in [[Vatican City]]. The protodeacon also bestows the [[pallium]] on the new pope and crowns him with the [[papal tiara]], although the crowning has not been celebrated since Pope John Paul I opted for a simpler papal inauguration ceremony in 1978.<ref>"Acting in the place of the Roman Pontiff, he also confers the pallium upon [[Metropolitan bishop#Roman Catholic|metropolitan bishops]] or gives the pallium to their proxies." [https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P19.HTM Canon 355 §2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203041419/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P19.HTM|date=3 December 2010}}.</ref> The current cardinal protodeacon is [[Dominique Mamberti]].

==== Cardinal protodeacons since 1887 ====
[[File:Coat_of_arms_of_Dominique_Mamberti.svg|thumb|Coat of arms of [[Dominique Mamberti|Cardinal Mamberti]], current Cardinal [[Protodeacon]]]]

* [[Giuseppe Pecci]], [[Society of Jesus|S.J.]] (20 December 1887&nbsp;– 8 February 1890)
* [[John Henry Newman]], [[Oratory of Saint Philip Neri|C.O.]] (8 February 1890&nbsp;– 11 August 1890)
* [[Joseph Hergenröther]] (11 August 1890&nbsp;– 3 October 1890)
* [[Tommaso Maria Zigliara]], [[Order of Preachers|O.P.]] (3 October 1890&nbsp;– 1 June 1891)
* [[Isidoro Verga]] (1 June 1891&nbsp;– 22 June 1896)
* [[Luigi Macchi]] (22 June 1896&nbsp;– 29 March 1907); announced election of [[Pope Pius X]] ([[Papal conclave, 1903|1903]])
* [[Andreas Steinhuber]], [[Society of Jesus|S.J.]] (29 March 1907&nbsp;– 15 October 1907)
* [[Francesco Segna]] (15 October 1907&nbsp;– 4 January 1911)
* [[Francesco Salesio Della Volpe]] (4 January 1911&nbsp;– 5 November 1916 (his death)); announced election of [[Pope Benedict XV]] ([[Papal conclave, 1914|1914]])
* [[Gaetano Bisleti]] (5 November 1916&nbsp;– 17 December 1928);{{efn|Ceased to be protodeacon upon being raised to the order of cardinal-priest|name=cardinal-priest}} announced election of [[Pope Pius XI]] ([[Papal conclave, 1922|1922]])
* [[Camillo Laurenti]] (17 December 1928&nbsp;– 16 December 1935){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Camillo Caccia-Dominioni]] (16 December 1935&nbsp;– 12 November 1946 (his death)); announced election of [[Pope Pius XII]] ([[Papal conclave, 1939|1939]])
* [[Nicola Canali]] (12 November 1946&nbsp;– 3 August 1961 (his death)); announced election of [[Pope John XXIII]] ([[Papal conclave, 1958|1958]])
* [[Alfredo Ottaviani]] (3 August 1961&nbsp;– 26 June 1967);{{efn|name=cardinal-priest}} announced election of [[Pope Paul VI]] ([[Papal conclave, 1963|1963]])
* [[Arcadio Larraona Saralegui]], [[Claretians|CMF]] (26 June 1967&nbsp;– 28 April 1969){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[William Theodore Heard]] (28 April 1969&nbsp;– 18 May 1970){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Antonio Bacci]] (18 May 1970&nbsp;– 20 January 1971 (his death))
* [[Michael Browne (cardinal)|Michael Browne]], [[Dominican Order|OP]] (20 January 1971&nbsp;– 31 March 1971 (his death))
* [[Federico Callori di Vignale]] (31 March 1971&nbsp;– 8 August 1971†)
* [[Charles Journet]] (8 August 1971&nbsp;– 5 March 1973){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Pericle Felici]] (5 March 1973&nbsp;– 30 June 1979);{{efn|name=cardinal-priest}} announced elections of [[Pope John Paul I]] ([[Papal conclave, August 1978|1978]]) and [[Pope John Paul II]] ([[Papal conclave, October 1978|1978]])
* [[Sergio Pignedoli]] (30 June 1979&nbsp;– 15 June 1980 (his death))
* [[Umberto Mozzoni]] (15 June 1980&nbsp;– 2 February 1983){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Opilio Rossi]] (2 February 1983&nbsp;– 22 June 1987){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Giuseppe Caprio]] (22 June 1987&nbsp;– 26 November 1990)
* [[Aurelio Sabattani]] (26 November 1990&nbsp;– 5 April 1993){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy]] (5 April 1993&nbsp;– 29 January 1996){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Eduardo Martínez Somalo]] (29 January 1996&nbsp;– 9 January 1999){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Pio Laghi]] (9 January 1999&nbsp;– 26 February 2002){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Luigi Poggi]] (26 February 2002&nbsp;– 24 February 2005){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Jorge Medina (cardinal)|Jorge Medina]] (24 February 2005&nbsp;– 23 February 2007);{{efn|name=cardinal-priest}} announced election of [[Pope Benedict XVI]] ([[Papal conclave, 2005|2005]])
* [[Darío Castrillón Hoyos]] (23 February 2007&nbsp;– 1 March 2008){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Agostino Cacciavillan]] (1 March 2008&nbsp;– 21 February 2011){{efn|name=cardinal-priest}}
* [[Jean-Louis Tauran]] (21 February 2011&nbsp;– 12 June 2014);{{efn|name=cardinal-priest}} announced election of [[Pope Francis]] ([[Papal conclave, 2013|2013]])
* [[Renato Raffaele Martino]] (12 June 2014&nbsp;– 28 October 2024 (his death))<ref>{{cite news|work=La Stampa|language=it|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2014/06/12/vaticaninsider/ita/vaticano/martino-diventa-cardinale-protodiacono-senza-habemus-papam-dHcpHr2npVizIsSXyjVfHM/pagina.html|access-date=23 January 2018|date=12 June 2014|title=Martino diventa cardinale protodiacono (senza "Habemus Papam")|first=Jacopo|last=Scaramuzzi|archive-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124070934/http://www.lastampa.it/2014/06/12/vaticaninsider/ita/vaticano/martino-diventa-cardinale-protodiacono-senza-habemus-papam-dHcpHr2npVizIsSXyjVfHM/pagina.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Dominique Mamberti]] (28 October 2024&nbsp;– present)

== Special types of cardinals ==

=== Camerlengo ===
The Cardinal [[Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church]], assisted by the Vice-Camerlengo and the other prelates of the office known as the Apostolic Camera, has functions that in essence are limited to a period of {{lang|la|[[sede vacante]]}} of the papacy. He is to collate information about the financial situation of all administrations dependent on the Holy See and present the results to the College of Cardinals, as they gather for the [[papal conclave]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_19880628_pastor-bonus-roman-curia_en.html#ADMINISTRATIVE+SERVICES|title=Pastor Bonus, – John Paul II – Apostolic Constitution (June 28, 1988) – John Paul II|website=www.vatican.va|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-date=23 February 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010223175311/http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_19880628_pastor-bonus-roman-curia_en.html#ADMINISTRATIVE+SERVICES|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Cardinals who are not bishops ===
[[File:El_cardenal_Reginald_Pole,_por_Sebastiano_del_Piombo.jpg|thumb|[[Reginald Pole]] was a cardinal for 18 years before he was ordained a priest.]]
Until 1918, any cleric, even one only in [[minor orders]], could be created a cardinal (see "[[Lay cardinal|lay cardinals]]", below), but enrolled only in the order of cardinal deacons. For example, in the 16th century, [[Reginald Pole]] was a cardinal for 18 years before he was ordained a priest. The [[1917 Code of Canon Law]] mandated that all cardinals, even cardinal deacons, had to be priests,<ref>Canon 232 §1 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law.</ref> and, in 1962, [[Pope John XXIII]] set the norm that all cardinals be consecrated as [[Bishop (Catholic Church)|bishops]], even if they are only priests at the time of appointment.<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_xxiii/motu_proprio/documents/hf_j-xxiii_motu-proprio_19620415_cum-gravissima_lt.html Motu proprio ''Cum gravissima'', 15 April 1962] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302231616/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_xxiii/motu_proprio/documents/hf_j-xxiii_motu-proprio_19620415_cum-gravissima_lt.html|date=2 March 2013}}.</ref> As a consequence of these two changes, canon 351 of the [[1983 Code of Canon Law]] requires that a cardinal be at least in the order of [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)|priesthood]] at his appointment, and that those who are not already bishops must receive episcopal consecration. Several cardinals near to or over the age of 80 when appointed have obtained [[Dispensation (Catholic Church)|dispensation]] from the rule of having to be a bishop.{{efn|Examples include [[Domenico Bartolucci]], [[Karl Josef Becker]], [[Yves Congar]], [[Avery Dulles]], [[Aloys Grillmeier]], [[Henri de Lubac]], [[Leo Scheffczyk]], [[Roberto Tucci]] and [[Albert Vanhoye]].}} These were all appointed cardinal-deacons, but [[Roberto Tucci]] and [[Albert Vanhoye]] lived long enough to exercise the right of option and be promoted to the rank of cardinal-priest. No cardinal who was not a bishop has participated in a [[papal conclave]] since the 1962 rule change.

A cardinal who is not a bishop is entitled to wear and use the episcopal vestments and other [[pontificalia]] (episcopal regalia: [[mitre]], [[crozier]], [[zucchetto]], [[pectoral cross]], and ring). He has both actual and honorary precedence over archbishops, and bishops who are not cardinals. However, he cannot perform the sacrament of [[Holy Orders|ordination]] or other rites reserved solely to bishops.

=== "Lay cardinals" ===
{{Main article|Lay cardinal}}

At various times, there have been cardinals who had only received [[Tonsure#Western Christianity|first tonsure]] and [[minor orders]] but not yet been [[Holy orders in the Catholic Church|ordained]] as [[Deacon|deacons]] or priests. Though [[Clergy|clerics]], they were inaccurately called "[[Lay cardinal|lay cardinals]]". [[Teodolfo Mertel]] was among the last of the lay cardinals. When he died in 1899 he was the last surviving cardinal who was not at least ordained a priest. With the revision of the [[1917 Code of Canon Law|Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1917]] by [[Pope Benedict XV]], only those who are already priests or bishops may be appointed cardinals.<ref>[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/LAT0813/_PO.HTM canon 232 §1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229235610/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/LAT0813/_PO.HTM|date=29 December 2016}} of the 1917 Code of Canon Law.</ref> Since the time of [[Pope John XXIII]] a priest who is appointed a cardinal must be consecrated a bishop, unless he obtains a dispensation.<ref>Cf. [http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P18.HTM canon 351 §1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102110536/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P18.HTM|date=2 January 2013}} of the 1983 Code of Canon Law.</ref>

=== Cardinals {{lang|la|in pectore}} or secret cardinals ===
{{Main article|In pectore}}

In addition to the named cardinals, the pope may name secret cardinals or cardinals {{Lang|la|[[in pectore]]}} (Latin for 'in the breast'). During the [[Western Schism]], many cardinals were created by the contending popes. Beginning with the reign of [[Pope Martin V]],<ref name="CE-cardinal" /> cardinals were created without publishing their names until later, a practice termed {{lang|la|creati et reservati in pectore}}.<ref>{{cite book|title=Catholic Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9gIjAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA337|first=John|last=Rickaby|volume=3|page=337|date=1913|access-date=15 October 2020|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207053858/https://books.google.com/books?id=9gIjAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA337#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> A cardinal named {{lang|la|in pectore}} is known only to the pope. In the modern era, popes have named cardinals {{lang|la|in pectore}} to protect them or their congregations from political reprisals. If conditions change, the pope makes the appointment public. The cardinal in question then ranks in precedence with those made cardinals at the time of his {{lang|la|in pectore}} appointment. If a pope dies before revealing the identity of an {{lang|la|in pectore}} cardinal, the person's status as cardinal expires. The last pope known to have named a cardinal {{lang|la|in pectore}} is [[Pope John Paul II]], who named four, including one whose identity was never revealed.{{efn|The three were:
[[Ignatius Kung Pin-Mei]], Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Shanghai|Shanghai]], made cardinal 1979, revealed 1991; [[Marian Jaworski]], Archbishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lviv|Lviv]], made cardinal 1998, revealed 2001; [[Jānis Pujāts]], Archbishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Riga|Riga]], made cardinal 1998, revealed 2001. Pope John Paul II created a fourth in 2003 but did not reveal his identity, not even in his will. Speculation centered on [[Joseph Zen Ze-kiun]], Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong|Hong Kong]], [[Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz]], Archbishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Moscow|Moscow]], and Archbishop [[Stanisław Dziwisz]], John Paul's longtime friend and secretary.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-apr-07-fg-secret7-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=7 April 2005 |title=Mystery Cardinal Will Never Be Able to Join Peers |first=Richard |last=Boudreau |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-date=18 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118164605/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/apr/07/world/fg-secret7 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

== Vesture and privileges ==
{{Main article|Pontifical vestments}}<gallery heights="220" widths="165" style="font-size:95%; line-height:130%;" class="center" caption="Pontifical vestments">
File:Cardinal_Théodore_Adrien_Sarr_2.JPG|alt=A Black man wearing a red cassock and cap with his hands raised.|[[Théodore-Adrien Sarr|Cardinal Sarr]] with a [[ferraiolo]] and wearing a red cassock, but not the rest of the choir dress
File:Kardinaal_III_Danneels_en_Kasper.JPG|alt=Two older white men wearing choir dress.|Cardinals [[Walter Kasper]] (left) and [[Godfried Danneels]] (right) wearing their [[choir dress]]: scarlet (red) [[cassock]], white [[rochet]] trimmed with [[lace]], scarlet [[mozetta]], scarlet [[biretta]] (over the usual scarlet [[zucchetto]]), and [[pectoral cross]] on a cord (or, in Danneels' case, wrongly on a chain).
File:Missione_del_Guaricano-cardinale_Tarcisio_Bertone.jpg|alt=A white man wearing a white cassock and a red cap.|[[Tarcisio Bertone|Cardinal Bertone]] in dress for hot tropical countries (white cassock with scarlet piping and buttons)
</gallery>When in [[choir dress]], a [[Latin Church]] cardinal wears [[Scarlet (color)|scarlet]] garments—the blood-like red symbolizes a cardinal's willingness to die for his faith.<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/cardinali_documentazione/cardinali_documentazione_generale_en.html#Ordinary%20Public%20Consistory The College of Cardinals – General Documentazion] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317062254/https://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/documentazione/documents/cardinali_documentazione/cardinali_documentazione_generale_en.html#Ordinary%20Public%20Consistory|date=17 March 2013}}.</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120719062740/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3196655.ece Applause and tears in Basilica greet Pontiff] (26 November 2007) ''Belfast Telegraph''. Retrieved 1 June 2008. Quote: "In a ceremony televised across the world cardinal-elect [[Seán Brady (bishop)|Sean Brady]] knelt before Pope Benedict XVI and pledged his allegiance to the Church before receiving his special red birretta—a symbol of a cardinal's dignity and willingness to shed blood for the increase of the Christian faith."</ref> Excluding the [[rochet]]—which is always white—the scarlet garments include the [[cassock]], [[mozzetta]], and [[biretta]] (over the usual scarlet [[zucchetto]]). The biretta of a cardinal is distinctive not merely for its scarlet color, but also for the fact that it does not have a pompom or tassel on the top as do the birettas of other prelates. Until the 1460s, it was customary for cardinals to wear a [[Violet (color)|violet]] or [[blue]] cape unless granted the privilege of wearing red when acting on papal business. His normal-wear cassock is black but has scarlet [[Piping (sewing)|piping]] and a scarlet [[Fascia (vestment)|fascia]] (sash). Occasionally, a cardinal wears a scarlet {{lang|it|[[ferraiolo]]}} which is a cape worn over the shoulders, tied at the neck in a bow by narrow strips of cloth in the front, without any 'trim' or piping on it.<ref name="vesture">{{cite journal|title=Instruction on the dress, titles and coat-of-arms of cardinals, bishops and lesser prelates.|publisher=[[L'Osservatore Romano]], English ed.|date=17 April 1969|pages=vol.4|url=http://www.fiu.edu/~mirandas/instruction69.htm|access-date=1 September 2006|archive-date=2 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602003150/http://www.fiu.edu/~mirandas/instruction69.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It is because of the scarlet color of cardinals' vesture that the bird of the same name has become known as such.{{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}
[[File:A_Cardinal_in_Profile,_1880,_by_Jehan_Georges_Vibert_(Morgan_Library_and_Museum,_New_York_City).jpg|left|thumb|''A Cardinal in Profile'', 1880, by [[Jehan Georges Vibert]] ([[Morgan Library and Museum]], New York City)]]
[[Eastern Catholic Churches|Eastern Catholic]] cardinals continue to wear the normal dress appropriate to their liturgical tradition, though some may line their cassocks with scarlet and wear scarlet fascias, or in some cases, wear Eastern-style cassocks entirely of scarlet.<ref>Photograph of [[Josyf Slipyj]], [[Major Archbishop]] of the [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church|Ukrainian Catholic Church]] and Cardinal, wearing a galero on top of his red [[klobuk]]. Retrieved from http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6322/78/1600/SlypyjGalero1.jpg {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706113302/http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6322/78/1600/SlypyjGalero1.jpg|date=6 July 2012}}.</ref>

In previous times, at the [[Papal consistory|consistory]] at which the pope named a new cardinal, he would bestow upon him a distinctive wide-brimmed hat called a [[galero]]. This custom was discontinued in 1969<ref name="vesture" /> and the investiture now takes place with the scarlet [[biretta]]. In [[ecclesiastical heraldry]], however, the scarlet galero is still displayed on the cardinal's [[coat of arms]]. Cardinals had the right to display the galero in their cathedral, and when a cardinal died, it would be suspended from the ceiling above his tomb. Some cardinals will still have a galero made, even though it is not officially part of their apparel.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fox|first1=Thomas|title=Is this prelate disobeying a pope?|url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/prelate-disobeying-pope|website=National Catholic Reporter|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Giovanni|first1=Amleto|title=Ut sive sollicite|url=http://www.shetlersites.com/clericaldress/utsivesollicite.html|website=sheltersites.com|access-date=2 December 2024}}</ref>

To symbolize their bond with the [[papacy]], the pope gives each newly appointed cardinal a gold ring,<ref>{{cite news|last=Paulson|first=Michael|date=25 March 2006|title=Bling! examination of the ring of Cardinal O'Malley|work=Boston Globe|access-date=8 September 2010|url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/paulson/blog/2006/03/25/index.html|archive-date=16 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816003621/http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/paulson/blog/2006/03/25/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> which is traditionally kissed by Catholics when greeting a cardinal (as with a bishop's episcopal ring). Before the new uniformity imposed by John Paul II, each cardinal was given a ring, the central piece of which was a gem, usually a sapphire, with the pope's stemma engraved on the inside.<ref name="Nainfa1909">{{cite book|author=John Abel Nainfa|title=Costume of Prelates of the Catholic Church: According to Roman Etiquette|url=https://archive.org/details/costumeprelates00naingoog|year=1909|publisher=John Murphy Company|location=Baltimore-New York|page=[https://archive.org/details/costumeprelates00naingoog/page/n155 107]}}. The new cardinal had to pay for the ring, in exchange for which he received the right to make his own Last Will and Testament.</ref> There is now no gemstone, and the pope chooses the image on the outside: under [[Pope Benedict XVI]] it was a modern depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus, with [[Virgin Mary|Mary]] and [[John the Evangelist|John]] to each side. The ring includes the pope's coat of arms on the inside.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fogcityjournal.com/news_in_brief/mass_of_rings_060326.shtml|title=Elevated cardinals receive gold ring from the pope during Mass of Rings|website=www.fogcityjournal.com|language=en|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-date=13 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313233711/http://www.fogcityjournal.com/news_in_brief/mass_of_rings_060326.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cardinals have in [[Canon law (Catholic Church)|canon law]] a "privilege of forum" (i.e., exemption from being judged by ecclesiastical tribunals of ordinary rank): only the pope is competent to judge them in matters subject to ecclesiastical jurisdiction (cases that refer to matters that are spiritual or linked with the spiritual, or with regard to infringement of ecclesiastical laws and whatever contains an element of sin, where culpability must be determined and the appropriate ecclesiastical penalty imposed). The pope either decides the case himself or delegates the decision to a tribunal, usually one of the tribunals or congregations of the Roman Curia. Without such delegation, no [[ecclesiastical court]], even the [[Roman Rota]], is competent to judge a canon law case against a cardinal.<ref>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P5A.HTM Canon 1405 §1 and canon 1406 §2] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822022417/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P5A.HTM|date=22 August 2006}}.</ref>

Additionally, canon law gives cardinals the faculty of hearing confessions validly and licitly everywhere, whereas other priests and bishops must be granted this faculty and might be restricted in its use by the local bishop.<ref>Canon 967 §1 of the 1983 ''Code of Canon Law.''</ref>

== Candidates for Sainthood ==
A handful of cardinals were raised to the altars on account of their holiness.

'''Saints'''

* [[Bernard degli Uberti|Bernardo degli Uberti, O.S.B.Vall.]] (c. 1060 – 4 December 1133), [[Bishop of Parma]], canonized on 3 December 1139.
* [[Guarinus of Palestrina|Guarino Foscari da Palestrina, C.R.S.A.]] (c. 1080 – 6 February 1158), [[Cardinal-Bishop of Palestrina]], canonized in 1159
* [[Bonaventure|Bonaventura da Bagnoregio, O.F.M.]] (c. 1221 – 15 July 1274), scholar, [[Cardinal Bishop of Albano]], and [[Doctor of the Church]] (''Seraphic Doctor)'', canonized on 14 April 1482.
* [[John Fisher]] (c. 19 October 1469 – 22 June 1535), [[Bishop of Rochester]] executed by order of [[Henry VIII]] during the [[English Reformation]] for refusing to accept him as the [[supreme head of the Church of England]], canonized on 19 May 1935.
* [[Charles Borromeo|Carlo Borromeo]] (2 October 1538 – 3 November 1584), [[Archdiocese of Milan|Archbishop of Milan]], founder of the [[Confraternity of Christian Doctrine]], and a leading figure of the [[Counter-Reformation]], canonized on 1 November 1610.
* [[Robert Bellarmine|Roberto Bellarmino, S.J.]] (4 October 1542 – 17 September 1621), a leading figure of the [[Counter-Reformation]], and [[Doctor of the Church]], canonized on 29 June 1930.
* [[Gregorio Barbarigo]] (16 September 1625 – 18 June 1697), [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Padua|Bishop of Padua]] who distinguished himself for his diplomatic and scholastic service, canonized on 26 May 1960.
* [[Giuseppe Maria Tomasi|Giuseppe Maria Tomasi, C.R.]] (12 September 1649 – 1 January 1713), [[Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti|Cardinal-Priest of Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti]], whose scholarship was a significant source of the [[Second Vatican Council|reforms]] in the [[Catholic liturgy|liturgy]] of the [[Catholic Church]] during the 20th century, canonized on 12 October 1986.
* [[John Henry Newman|John Henry Newman, C.O.]] (21 February 1801 – 11 August 1890), convert from Anglicanism and appointed [[Cardinal-Deacon]] of [[San Giorgio in Velabro]], canonized on 13 October 2019.

'''Blesseds'''

* [[Peter Igneus|Pietro "Igneo" Aldobrandini, O.S.B.Vall.]] (died 11 November 1089), [[Cardinal-Bishop of Albano]], beatified on 4 March 1673.
* [[Pierre de Luxembourg|Pierre de Luxembourg, O.Cart.]] (19 July 1369 – 2 July 1387), [[Bishop of Metz]], beatified on 9 April 1527.
* [[It:Bonaventura Badoer da Peraga|Bonaventura Badoer da Peraga, O.S.A.]] (22 June 1332 - 10 June 1389), Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, beatified in 1440.
* [[John Dominici|Giovanni Dominici, O.P.]] (c. 1355 – 10 June 1419), Apostolic Administrator of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Bova|Bova]], beatified on 9 April 1832.
* [[Niccolò Albergati|Niccolò Albergati, O.Cart.]] (c. 1373 – 9 May 1443), [[Bishop of Bologna]] and [[papal diplomat]] to [[France]] and [[England]], beatified on 25 September 1744.
* [[Louis Aleman|Louis Aleman, C.R.S.J.]] (<abbr>c.</abbr> February 1390 – 16 September 1450), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Arles|Archbishop of Arles]], beatified on 9 April 1527.
* [[Alessandro Oliva|Alessandro Oliva da Sassoferato, O.S.A.]] (c. 1407 – 20 August 1463), [[Santa Susanna, Rome|Cardinal-Priest of Santa Susanna]], declared Blessed by popular acclaim, especially the Order of Saint Augustine.
* [[Paolo Burali d'Arezzo|Paolo Burali d'Arezzo, C.R.]] (c. 1511 – 17 June 1578), [[Archbishop of Naples]], beatified on 18 June 1772.
* [[Giuseppe Benedetto Dusmet|Giuseppe Benedetto Dusmet, O.S.B.]] (15 August 1818 – 4 April 1894), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Catania|Archbishop of Catania]], beatified on 25 September 1988.
* [[Marcelo Spínola y Maestre]] (14 January 1835 - 19 January 1906), [[Archbishop of Seville]] and founder of the Handmaids of the Divine Heart, beatified on 29 March 1987.
* [[Ciriaco María Sancha y Hervás]] (17 June 1833 – 25 February 1909), [[Archdiocese of Toledo|Archbishop of Toledo]], [[Primate of Spain]] and the [[Patriarch of the West Indies]], and founder of the Sisters of Charity of Cardinal Sancha, beatified on 18 October 2009.
* [[Andrea Carlo Ferrari]] (13 August 1850 – 2 February 1921), [[Archbishop of Milan]], beatified on 10 May 1987.
* [[Clemens August Graf von Galen]] (16 March 1878 – 22 March 1946), former count and [[Catholic Diocese of Münster|Bishop of Münster]], who denounced [[Gestapo]] lawlessness and the [[Nazi persecution of the Catholic Church in Germany|persecution of the Church]] in [[Nazi Germany]], beatified on 9 October 2005.
* [[Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster|Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster, O.S.B.]] (8 January 1880 – 30 August 1954), [[Archbishop of Milan]], beatified on 12 May 1996.
* [[Aloysius Stepinac|Alojzije Stepinac]] (8 May 1898 – 10 February 1960), [[Archbishop of Zagreb]] martyred by communist forces, beatified on 3 October 1998.
* [[Stefan Wyszyński]] (3 August 1901 – 28 May 1981), [[List of bishops and archbishops of Warsaw|Archbishop of Warsaw]] and [[List of archbishops of Gniezno and primates of Poland|Archbishop of Gniezno]], well known for his stands against both [[Nazism]] and [[Communism]], beatified on 12 September 2021.
* [[Eduardo Francisco Pironio]] (3 December 1920 – 5 February 1998), Argentinian [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto|Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina-Porto Mirteto]], beatified on 16 December 2023.

'''Venerables'''

* [[Marcantonio Barbarigo]] (6 March 1640 – 26 May 1706), relative of [[Gregorio Barbarigo]], [[Diocese of Montefiascone|Archbishop of Montefiascone e Corneto]], founder of the Pontifical Institute of the [[Religious Teachers Filippini]], Religious Teachers Filippini of Montefiascone and the Augustinian Sisters of Divine Love, declared Venerable on 6 July 2007.
* [[Pietro Marcellino Corradini]] (2 June 1658 – 8 February 1743), [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Frascati|Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati]], founder of the Congregation of the Collegine Sisters of the Holy Family, declared Venerable on 24 April 2021.
* [[Sisto Riario Sforza]] (5 December 1810 – 29 September 1877), [[Archbishop of Naples]] who aided victims of two [[cholera]] epidemics and the 1861 eruption of [[Mount Vesuvius]], declared Venerable on 28 June 2012.
* [[Guglielmo Massaia|Guglielmo da Piova (Lorenzo Antonio Massaja), O.F.M. Cap.]] (9 June 1809 - 6 August 1889), [[San Vitale, Rome|Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Vitale, Gervasio e Protasio]] missionary, declared Venerable on 1 December 2016.
* [[August Hlond|August Jozef Hlond, S.D.B.]] (5 July 1881 – 22 October 1948), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Poznań|Archbishop of Poznań and Gniezno]] and as [[List of archbishops of Gniezno and primates of Poland|Primate of Poland]], declared Venerable on 19 May 2018.
* [[Elia Dalla Costa]] (14 May 1872 – 22 December 1961), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Florence|Archbishop of Florence]], declared Venerable on 4 May 2017.
* [[Nguyễn Văn Thuận|Phanxicô Xaviê Nguyễn Văn Thuận]] (17 April 1928 – 16 September 2002), Vietnamese cardinal and [[Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace|President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace]], declared Venerable on 4 May 2017.

'''Servants of God'''

* [[Hélie de Bourdeilles|Hélie de Bourdeilles, O.F.M.]] (c. 1423 – 5 July 1484), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tours|Archbishop of Tours]], declared as a Servant of God on 26 February 1913.
* [[Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros|Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros, O.F.M.]] (c. 1436 – 8 November 1517), inquisitor, [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toledo|Archbishop of Toledo]], and [[Primate of Spain]], declared as a Servant of God on 15 October 1669.
* [[Stanislaus Hosius|Stanisław Hozjusz]] (5 May 1504 – 5 August 1579), [[Archbishopric of Warmia|Prince-Bishop of Warmia]]
* [[Caesar Baronius|Cesare Baronio, C.R.]] (30 October 1538 - 10 June 1607), [[Santi Nereo e Achilleo|Cardinal Priest of Santi Nereo ed Achilleo]]
* [[Marcello d'Aste]] (21 July 1657 – 11 June 1709), Cardinal-Priest of Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti<ref>{{Cite web|title=1709|url=http://newsaints.faithweb.com/year/1709.htm|access-date=2025-03-27|website=newsaints.faithweb.com}}</ref>
* [[Giovanni Antonio Guadagni|Giovanni Antonio Guadagni, OCD]] (14 September 1674 – 15 January 1759), [[Cardinal Vicar General of Rome|Vicar General of Rome]]
* [[Carlo Odescalchi|Carlo Odescalchi, S.J.]] (5 March 1785 – 17 August 1841), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ferrara-Comacchio|Archbishop of Ferrara]] and [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto|Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina]]
* [[Lodovico Altieri]] (17 July 1805 – 11 August 1867), [[Bishop of Albano]] and [[Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church]], declared as a Servant of God on 14 March 2009.
* [[Giuseppe Guarino (cardinal)|Giuseppe Guarino]] (6 March 1827 – 21 September 1897), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela|Archbishop of Messina]] and founder of the Apostles of the Holy Family, declared as a Servant of God on 20 January 1986.
* [[François-Marie-Benjamin Richard|François-Marie-Benjamin Richard de la Vergne]] (1 March 1819 – 27 January 1908), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Paris|Archbishop of Paris]]
* [[Josef Beran]] (29 December 1888 - 17 May 1969), [[Archbishop of Prague]], declared as a Servant of God on 9 February 1998.
* [[Émile Biayenda]] (c. 1927 – 23 March 1977), Congolese [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brazzaville|Archbishop of Brazzaville]] whose cause of murder is still undetermined, declared as a Servant of God on 20 March 1995.
* [[José Lebrún Moratinos|José Alí Lebrún Moratinos]] (19 March 1919 – 21 February 2001), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caracas|Archbishop of Caracas]].
* [[Peter Porekuu Dery]] (10 May 1918 – 6 March 2008), Ghanian [[Sant'Elena (Rome)|Cardinal-Deacon of Sant'Elena fuori Porta Prenestina]] and [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tamale|Archbishop of Tamale]], declared as a Servant of God in mid-2013.
* [[Bernardin Gantin]] (8 May 1922 – 13 May 2008), Beninese [[Dean of the College of Cardinals]] and Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia, declared as a Servant of God in January 2025.

== See also ==

* [[Cardinal-Infante (disambiguation)]]
* [[Cardinal-nephew]]
* [[Cardinal protector]]
* [[Hierarchy of the Catholic Church#Cardinals|Hierarchy of the Catholic Church]]
* [[List of current cardinals]]
* [[List of the creations of the cardinals]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* {{cite journal|last1=Kuttner|first1=Steven|title=Cardinalis: The History of a Canonical Concept|journal=Traditio|date=1945|volume=3|pages=129–214|jstor=27830076|doi=10.1017/S0362152900016883|s2cid=149333519}}
* {{CathEncy|wstitle=Ecclesiastical Addresses|last=Battandier|first=Albert}}
* {{cite book|last=Noonan, Jr.|first=James-Charles|title=The Church Visible: The Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Roman Catholic Church|year=1996|publisher=Viking|isbn=0-670-86745-4|url=https://archive.org/details/churchvisiblecer0000noon}}
* {{CathEncy|wstitle=Cardinal|title=Cardinal|last=Sägmüller|first=Johannes Baptist}}
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Cardinal|last=Boudinhon|first=Auguste}}
* Hollingswirth, Mary, Miles Pattenden and Arnold Witte, eds (2020), ''[https://brill.com/view/title/32766 A Companion to the Early Modern Cardinal]''. Leiden/Boston: Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-41544-7

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Cardinals}}

* Salvador Miranda. [http://cardinals.fiu.edu The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church]. A digital resource consisting of the biographical entries of the cardinals from 494 to 2014 and of the events and documents concerning the origin of the Roman cardinalate and its historical evolution
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120302100232/http://popes-and-papacy.com/wordpress/?p=571 Next Cardinal Creating Consistory by Pope Benedict XVI – The Required Background Data]}} (including statistical data and links). Popes and the Papacy website (Anura Guruge). Retrieved 2010-09-08.
* [http://www.gcatholic.org/hierarchy/cardinals.htm GCatholic on all Cardinals]
** [http://www.gcatholic.org/hierarchy/cardinals-alive-precedence.htm List of All Cardinals By Precedence] by GCatholic
** [http://www.gcatholic.org/hierarchy/cardinals-title-c2.htm List of all Cardinal Titular Churches] by GCatholic
** [http://www.gcatholic.org/hierarchy/cardinals-title-c3.htm List of all Cardinal Deaconries] by GCatholic
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060829055027/http://www.catholic-pages.com/hierarchy/cardinals_list.asp Catholic-pages List of Cardinals]
* Thomas J. Reese, ''Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church'', Harvard University Press, 1996 [https://books.google.com/books?id=FYMKOgA5lSAC&dq=how+many+curial+cardinals&pg=PA92]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160708031251/http://www.cardinalrating.com/ Cardinal Rating] a website listing the day to day statements printed in the news by current cardinals

{{Cardinals of the Catholic Church}} {{Papacy}} {{Holy See}} {{Catholicism}}

{{Authority control}}