College of Cardinals

The Latest

Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, president of the Italian bishops’ conference.

Italian cardinal tests positive for COVID-19

Oct 29, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, the president of the Italian bishops’ conference, has tested positive for COVID-19.  Read more

Cardinal Angelo Becciu, center, in 2015.

What does it mean for Becciu to lose his rights as a cardinal?

Sep 25, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican announced Thursday night that Cardinal Angelo Becciu had resigned from the rights extended to members of the College... Read more

Cardinal Marian Jaworski, center, pictured in 2006.

Pope Francis pays tribute to ‘courageous’ cardinal who was close to St. John Paul II

Sep 8, 2020

Pope Francis paid tribute Monday to a cardinal whose life was intertwined with that of St. John Paul II.  Read more

Cardinal Marian Jaworski.

Cardinal Jaworski, friend of St. John Paul II, dies at age 94

Sep 7, 2020

A cardinal who was close to St. John Paul II died Saturday, two weeks after his 94th birthday.  Read more

The future Cardinal Adrianus Simonis, pictured Jan. 17, 1981.

Pope Francis sends condolences after death of Cardinal Simonis

Sep 3, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis offered his condolences Thursday after Dutch Cardinal Adrianus Simonis died at the age of 88.  Read more

Cardinal Renato Corti (1936-2020).

Pope Francis praises late cardinal’s ‘gentleness of spirit’

May 12, 2020

Pope Francis has paid tribute to the Italian Cardinal Renato Corti, who died May 12 aged 84.  Read more

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines.

Pope Francis raises Cardinal Tagle to new rank

May 1, 2020

Pope Francis has raised Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle to the rank of cardinal bishop in a new sign of his... Read more

The College of Cardinals celebrates Mass March 12, 2013 before entering the Sistine Chapel for the papal conclave.

Cardinal Re elected new dean of the College of Cardinals

Jan 25, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re has been elected the new dean of the College of Cardinals with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as... Read more

Pope Francis with Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of dean of cardinals, sets 5-year term limit

Dec 21, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Saturday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Angelo Sodano as dean of the College of Cardinals and declared that... Read more

Pope Francis waves in St. Peter's Square May 8, 2019.

Pope Francis to create 13 new cardinals in October consistory

Sep 1, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis announced Sunday he will create 13 new cardinals, from every part of the world, in a consistory Oct.... Read more

Cardinals gathered at St. Peter's Basilica on April 11, 2015 during the Convocation of the Year of Mercy.

Cardinal Achille Silvestrini dies at age 95

Aug 29, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, former prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches and a long-time Vatican diplomat, died at his home... Read more

Cardinal McCarrick.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of McCarrick from College of Cardinals

Jul 28, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Saturday Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Theodore McCarrick from the College of Cardinals, suspending him from the rights and... Read more

Pope Francis surrounded by cardinals during Mass, June 29, 2015.

Why cardinals have ranks, and how Pope Francis changed them

Jun 26, 2018

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis made an unexpected change Tuesday in the structure of the College of Cardinals, adding some curial officials to... Read more

Pope Francis greets cardinals and bishops on Oct. 11, 2017.

Analysis: With new appointments, Pope Francis puts his mark on the College of Cardinals

May 21, 2018

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis’ fifth consistory marks an important shift within the College of Cardinals: it is the first time in the... Read more

Pope Francis smiles during an encounter in St. Peter's Square Oct. 14, 2017.

Pope announces June 29 consistory to create 14 new cardinals

May 20, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

There will be a consistory June 29 to create 14 new cardinals, each of whom express the “universality” of the... Read more

Pope Francis elevates 17 new cardinals during the Nov. 19, 2016, consistory.

Pope warns new cardinals against falling into polemics, division

Nov 19, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Saturday Pope Francis handed a red hat to 17 new cardinals, warning them against the danger of falling into... Read more

Cardinal's biretta.

So what is a consistory, anyway?

Nov 18, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

In a simple rite this Saturday, 17 prelates will receive a red biretta from Pope Francis and thus join the... Read more

A cardinal's biretta rests on an empty chair.

Long-serving Cardinal Baum lived a generous response to God

Jul 25, 2015

Cardinal William W. Baum, a past Archbishop of Washington and the longest-serving American cardinal, died on Thursday at the age... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass with new Cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica on Feb. 15, 2015.

New cardinals speak out on perils, potential of a globalized society

Feb 18, 2015

Pope Francis' newly elevated cardinals reflected on their roles as shepherds within a vast, multicultural Church – and the many... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass with new cardinals Feb. 15, 2015.

Take the red hat, but leave your 'spiritual box' behind, Pope tells cardinals

Feb 15, 2015

By Elise Harris

After elevating 20 new cardinals, Pope Francis reminded them that true honor is found in service, and urged them to... Read more