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Cardinals

A cardinal is a member of the 'Sacred College', the group of priests chosen by the Pope to run the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinals may be chosen by the Pope, but they in their turn are the men who will elect a new Pope on the death of the current incumbent.

Most cardinals are in charge of large areas within the Church, while others are senior Vatican officials with responsibility for particular activities.

Currently around a third of cardinals are involved in the Church's central government. Among the central church administrative posts whose occupants become cardinals are

• The Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops.
• The President of the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace.
• The President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See.
• The President of the Prefecture of the Holy See's Economic Affairs.
• The Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
• The Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.

Princes of the Church

Although some people refer to cardinals as 'Princes of the Church', the cardinals don't officially have a high rank because they are cardinals, but because of the particular job they are doing.

Cardinal's vestments ©

That's the official position, but the title cardinal itself conveys huge dignity and respect on the person concerned. And cardinals are referred to by the exalted title of "your eminence".

Uniform

Nowadays cardinals wear a scarlet zucchetto (skullcap) and biretta (four-cornered hat with tassel). The broad-brimmed red hats are no longer used.

In the old days a cardinal's red hat was suspended from the ceiling of his cathedral after his death. Superstition had it that the cardinal remained in purgatory until the hat fell.

The robes are crimson - the colour of blood - to symbolise the commitment of each cardinal to defend the church to the death.

The Pope's top advisers

The cardinals are the Pope's advisers and helpers in the administration of the Catholic Church; they are the hands with which he runs the church throughout the world.

Each cardinal is personally chosen by the Pope of the day. Although the Pope theoretically has complete freedom to choose whom he likes, there are certain posts, such as that of Archbishop of Westminster, whose occupants traditionally become cardinals.

It seems obvious that all cardinals are Roman Catholic priests, but in fact this wasn't always so, and didn't become church law until 1918. Since 1962, all cardinals have had to be bishops.

Although cardinals come in several grades - Cardinal Bishops, Cardinal Priests, and Cardinal Deacons - the distinctions are not important, except when organising the order of processions on great occasions.

The important distinction between cardinals is simply how old they are.

Which cardinals elect the Pope?

Cardinals over the age of 80 are not allowed to take part in the election of a Pope (a ruling made by Pope Paul VI).

Find out more

• The Pope
• Electing a new Pope