College of Cardinals

Some people are called cardinals.

They are a group in the Catholic Church. The pope picks the cardinals. They serve for their whole lives.

One big job is picking a new pope. This happens in a special meeting. Only cardinals under age 80 can vote. This rule helps them choose a leader. It is a very important job for the church.

The College of Cardinals is a group in the Catholic Church.

The pope chooses the cardinals. They serve for their whole lives. The word cardinal comes from a Latin word. It means "hinge." This shows they are a key part of the Church.

Cardinals have many jobs. They advise the pope on Church matters. They also help during special events. Their most important job is a meeting called a conclave. During a conclave, they elect a new pope.

Not every cardinal can vote in a conclave. Only those under age 80 can vote. This rule was set by Pope Paul VI.

In the past, most cardinals were from Italy. Now, the group is more global. Many different countries are part of the college.

The size of the group has changed over time. Some popes made the group larger. Others tried to keep it small. Today, the group includes many leaders from around the world.

The College of Cardinals is a special group within the Catholic Church. It is also known as the Sacred College of Cardinals. These leaders are chosen by the pope to help him.

Cardinals have several important jobs to do. They advise the pope on many different church matters. They also attend special ceremonies, such as when a person is made a saint. Their most vital task happens when there is no pope. When a pope dies or resigns, the cardinals meet in a special event called a conclave. During this meeting, they vote to choose a new pope. However, not every cardinal can vote in this meeting. Only those who are under the age of 80 are allowed to vote. This rule was first set by Pope Paul VI in 1971.

The history of this group goes back a very long time. The word cardinal comes from the Latin word "cardō," which means "hinge." This name suggests they are a key part that helps the Church work. The group slowly grew from the clergy in Rome during the first thousand years. In the year 769, a meeting decided that the pope should be elected from certain priests. By the time of Pope Stephen V in the 800s, three different classes of cardinals began to form. These included cardinal deacons, cardinal priests, and cardinal bishops.

Over many centuries, the size of the group changed quite a bit. In the 1200s and 1300s, there were often only about thirty cardinals. Some popes actually made the group larger to find new allies. For example, Pope Leo X added 31 cardinals in 1517 to reach a total of 65. Later, Pope Paul VI helped the group grow even more. By 1969, the number of cardinals reached 134. Today, the group is much more international than it used to be. In the past, most cardinals were born in Italy. Now, they come from many different countries around the world.

The way cardinals work has also seen many changes. In the past, some cardinals were not bishops. However, in 1962, it was established that all cardinals should be bishops. This helped make the roles within the group more consistent. The group also helps manage the rules of the Church. Even though they have many duties, the college does not have its own ruling power. They mostly serve the pope and the needs of the Church. They remain a very important part of Catholic history and life.

The College of Cardinals, also called the Sacred College of Cardinals, is the body of all cardinals in the Catholic Church. Cardinals are high-ranking officials appointed by the pope. They serve as important advisors and leaders within the Church's structure. One of their most critical roles is electing a new pope. This happens during a special meeting called a conclave. While the college is a powerful group, it does not have its own ruling power. Instead, it functions to support the papacy and the Church's administration.

The primary mechanism of the college involves advising and electing. When the pope summons them to an ordinary consistory, cardinals provide counsel on Church matters. The term consistory comes from a tradition of royal crown councils. Cardinals also participate in protocol duties, such as attending the canonization process for saints. The most significant mechanism occurs during a papal vacancy, known as the sede vacante. When a pope dies or resigns, the cardinals convene in a conclave. During this period, the college's influence is most concentrated. However, only specific members are allowed to participate in the vote.

The college is organized into three distinct orders or classes. These classes are cardinal deacons, cardinal priests, and cardinal bishops. The cardinal deacons are considered theological descendants of the original seven deacons mentioned in the biblical Book of Acts. Following them are the cardinal priests. The highest rank is the cardinal bishops. Historically, these roles were tied to specific areas of Rome. For example, cardinal bishops were once assigned to suburbicarian sees. In 1962, Pope John XXIII established that all cardinals should be bishops. This change helped standardize the requirements for the entire college.

The history of the college shows a slow evolution from the clergy of Rome. The word cardinal comes from the Latin cardō, meaning "hinge." This implies they are a central part of the Church's structure. The term first appeared in the Liber Pontificalis regarding the biography of Pope Stephen III. In 769, a Roman Synod decided the pope should be elected from among deacons and cardinal priests. During the reign of Pope Stephen V in the 800s, the three classes began to form. He required cardinal bishops to rotate singing Mass at the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica. By 845, the Council of Meaux–Paris required bishops to establish cardinal titles in their districts.

The size of the college has fluctuated significantly throughout history. From 1099 to 1986, there were approximately 2,900 cardinals. In the 13th to 15th centuries, the number rarely exceeded thirty members. Pope John XXII formalized a limit of twenty members in the early 14th century. Later, popes sometimes increased the number to gain political allies or funds. Pope Leo X added 31 cardinals in 1517, bringing the total to 65. By 1969, Pope Paul VI had expanded the group to 134 members. Today, the number of electors is managed by specific rules regarding age.

A major rule regarding the college involves the age of its members. To ensure the election of a new pope, only cardinals under the age of 80 may vote. This rule was first introduced by Pope Paul VI in 1971. These voting members are known as cardinal electors. In 1975, Paul VI set a maximum limit of 120 cardinal electors. However, recent popes have often exceeded this number. Pope John Paul II reached a high of 135 electors in 2001. Pope Benedict XVI reached 125 in 2012. Most recently, Pope Francis exceeded the limit in all ten of his consistories, reaching 140 in late 2024.

The college has also undergone a process of internationalization. In the past, the group was dominated by Italian members. For example, in 1846, the percentage of Italian-born cardinals was 98 percent. By the time of the 1939 conclave, that number had dropped to 54.8 percent. In the 21st century, the percentage of Italian cardinals has continued to decline. In 2025, the figure was approximately 20 percent. This shift shows how the college now represents a much broader, global community. This change connects the local history of Rome to the global presence of the Catholic Church.