Whats a cardinal? The princes of the Church electing a new pope

Cardinals from all around the world are poised to elect a successor to Pope Francis on the conclave that begins Wednesday.

But what precisely is a cardinal?

– HIGH DIGNITARY –

A cardinal (from the Latin “cardinalis” or principal) is a excessive dignitary of the Catholic Church chosen by the pope to help him in his authorities.

The principal dicasteries — the Holy See equal of presidency ministries — are, for essentially the most half, headed by cardinals.

Their actual title is cardinal of the Holy Roman Church.

Gathered within the College of Cardinals, presided over by a dean — at the moment the 91-year-old Italian Giovanni Battista Re — they type the highest echelon of the Catholic Church.

Cardinal being a title and never a operate, lots of them are bishops of dioceses around the globe, whereas others who maintain positions within the Curia, the Vatican’s authorities, reside in Rome.

– POPE-MAKERS –

There are 252 cardinals however solely these aged underneath 80 vote for a brand new pope within the conclave — cardinal electors.

Currently 133 cardinals are eligible to vote for a brand new chief for the Church within the occasion of a papal dying or resignation.

Held within the famend Sistine Chapel, the conclave is extremely secretive and follows strict guidelines and ceremonial procedures.

– CREATED NOT NAMED –

Cardinals will not be named however “created” by papal decree.

The time period derives from Roman occasions, and implies that the recipient is elevated in rank due to his qualities, however not appointed to any vacant put up or workplace.

Under Vatican guidelines, the pontiff can create cardinals out of males who’re “truly outstanding in doctrine, virtue, piety and prudence in practical matters”.

– CARDINAL’S RED –

Cardinals put on garments of scarlet pink, a color as soon as related to the Roman Senate, an emblem of energy, status and authority, and later representing the blood of Christ.

They additionally put on a hoop, historically a sapphire, in addition to a pectoral cross, the crosier, or workers, and the standard headdress, the mitre.

– A POLITICAL APPOINTMENT –

The creation of cardinals displays the political beliefs of the pontiff, who usually makes use of this energy to form the choice of his personal successor.

During his hold forth, Francis made a degree of appointing extra cardinals from the “peripheries” of the Catholic world, locations beforehand missed by Rome.

– DECLINING PRIVILEGES –

Cardinals, who’ve the title of “Eminence”, are second solely to the pope within the Church’s hierarchy and may officiate in all church buildings exterior Rome. They might also be buried in church buildings.

The Second Vatican Council significantly diminished the privileges granted to the Church’s most senior prelates, who beforehand used to order a complete compartment when travelling by practice and have a throne room of their residence.

Francis went additional, deciding in 2023 that cardinals may not take pleasure in Vatican flats rent-free.

Two years earlier he had diminished their salaries to assist mitigate the harm wrought by the coronavirus pandemic on the Holy See’s funds.