College of Cardinals

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.