How are cardinals elected: essential, practical guide in 5 steps

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how are cardinals elected

Many people ask how are cardinals elected, especially when headlines appear about the Catholic Church choosing new leaders. The short and perhaps surprising answer is that, strictly speaking, cardinals are not elected at all: they are appointed by the Pope. Yet the question persists because cardinals themselves are the ones who elect the Pope in a conclave. In this guide, we will explain both sides clearly: how are cardinals elected (that is, how they are chosen and formally “created” by the Pope), and how cardinals elect the Bishop of Rome when the papal office is vacant.

Understanding how are cardinals elected matters for anyone interested in how the Catholic Church is governed at its highest level. Cardinals are the Pope’s closest collaborators, they advise on major decisions, and—when the time comes—they gather in Rome to elect his successor. Knowing who they are, why they are chosen, and how the process works helps demystify a system that can seem opaque from the outside.

Understanding the question: how are cardinals elected?

Before diving into details, it helps to clarify terminology. In Catholic tradition, the Pope “creates” cardinals. This creation happens during a ceremony called a consistory. While the phrase how are cardinals elected is common, the more precise question is “How are cardinals selected by the Pope?” The selection itself rests entirely with the Pope, who names the individuals. There is no electoral college voting to become a cardinal; rather, the Pope designates candidates, and the Church formalises this by publishing their names and investing them with specific symbols of office.

Why, then, do so many wonder how are cardinals elected? Likely because of the high-profile event in which cardinals do vote: the conclave that elects a new Pope. In everyday speech, it is easy to conflate the two processes. We will treat both in this article: first, how men become cardinals; later, how those cardinals conduct a papal election.

Basic concepts: who are the cardinals and what do they do?

Cardinals are senior churchmen who serve as principal advisers to the Pope and, if they are under 80 years of age, as electors in a conclave. They hold membership in the College of Cardinals, an institution that dates back roughly a millennium. Historically rooted in the clergy of Rome, the role has grown to represent the global church, with cardinals drawn from many countries and cultures.

Within the College of Cardinals there are three orders, which are largely ceremonial today but still meaningful:

Cardinal-bishops (linked to ancient suburbicarian dioceses around Rome, and certain senior roles).
Cardinal-priests (typically archbishops and bishops leading important dioceses worldwide).
Cardinal-deacons (often serving in the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Holy See).

Cardinals each receive a titular church in Rome (cardinal-priests and cardinal-deacons) or a historic association with a suburbicarian diocese (cardinal-bishops). This ties them symbolically to the Church of Rome, reinforcing their unity with the Pope. Understanding these basics sets the stage for explaining how are cardinals elected—better stated, how they are chosen and created by the Pope.

So, how are cardinals elected in practice?

In practical terms, how are cardinals elected unfolds in a series of steps centred on papal choice and a public ceremony. Here is the essence of the process.

Step-by-step: how are cardinals elected (technically “created”)?

Identification of candidates. The Pope, often with input from trusted advisers and Church offices, identifies bishops—as well as occasionally priests—whose service, leadership, and fidelity make them suitable for the College of Cardinals. Key considerations include pastoral experience, doctrinal soundness, integrity, and the needs of the global church. Geographic balance and representation of growing Catholic communities typically play an important role.
Announcement of a consistory. The Pope announces that he will hold a consistory—a formal meeting of the College—during which he will create new cardinals. The list of names is usually published in advance. Sometimes one or more names may be kept secret “in pectore” (in the Pope’s heart) for delicate reasons; such names are revealed later when circumstances allow.
Public creation. At the consistory, the Pope formally creates the cardinals. Each receives a red biretta (a square cap) and a ring. The red symbolises a willingness to defend the faith even to the shedding of blood. They are assigned either a deaconry or a titular church in Rome, linking them to the city and the bishop of Rome.
Ordination as bishop (if needed). The law of the Church normally requires that those created cardinals be bishops. However, the Pope can dispense from this requirement for good reason, and there are notable cases of cardinals who are priests but not bishops. This flexibility allows the Pope to honour and involve distinguished churchmen whose work merits such responsibility.
Integration into service. New cardinals are assigned to various bodies of the Roman Curia and international commissions. They also become part of the College that may one day gather to elect a new Pope if they are under the age of 80 at the time of a conclave.

Because the Pope alone chooses, the most accurate answer to how are cardinals elected is that they are appointed and publicly created by the Pope during consistories. There is no voting among bishops or priests to reach that stage.

Criteria and considerations behind new cardinals

While there is no fixed checklist, several recurring criteria guide the Pope’s choices when people ask how are cardinals elected in actual practice:

Leadership and pastoral record: Effective governance of a diocese or of a major Vatican office is often a strong indicator.
Doctrinal fidelity: Teaching and defending the Catholic faith with clarity and charity.
Global representation: Reflecting the Church’s growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America has become increasingly prominent.
Experience of the peripheries: Recent Popes have highlighted pastors serving communities far from traditional centres, ensuring the College carries the voice of the whole Church.
Personal reputation: Integrity, humility, and the trust of the faithful.

These factors help explain selections that some observers might not predict. If you were expecting a rigid ladder or a guaranteed “promotion” for certain offices, this is a common misconception when discussing how are cardinals elected.

Historical background: from Roman clergy to a global body

The origins of cardinals lie in the senior clergy of Rome—bishops of surrounding dioceses, priests of Rome’s important parishes (titular churches), and deacons who administered charity. Over centuries, this Roman nucleus grew into an international college. Various popes reformed the number, structure, and rules for the College. In the twentieth century, significant changes included the setting of an age limit (80) for conclave participation and a general cap of 120 cardinal electors—though Popes sometimes vary the number of electors slightly.

This historical perspective helps frame how are cardinals elected today: not by vote among their peers, but through papal creation that embeds a global outlook while maintaining symbolic roots in Rome.

Symbols of office and what they mean

People often recognise a cardinal by the red vesture, including the biretta and zucchetto (small skullcap). These are not mere trappings. The colour red signifies a readiness to defend the faith even at great personal cost. The ring given to a new cardinal symbolises fidelity to the Church and to the Pope. The assignment of a titular church in Rome is a reminder that, despite their global service, cardinals are tied to the Church of Rome and its bishop.

Common misconceptions about how are cardinals elected

“They are elected by other bishops.” No. They are chosen by the Pope and formally created at a consistory.
“It is a career promotion that follows a fixed ladder.” Not necessarily. Although many are archbishops of significant dioceses or heads of Vatican departments, recent decades show Popes selecting pastors from less prominent places to reflect the Church’s breadth.
“All cardinals are bishops.” Usually, but the Pope can dispense from episcopal ordination for good reasons.
“Orthodox and other churches also have cardinals.” The office of cardinal is unique to the Catholic Church. For an overview of wider differences, see this comparison of Orthodox vs Catholic traditions.
“The ‘black pope’ runs the show.” The nickname “black pope” historically refers to the Superior General of the Jesuits, not to any secret power over cardinals. For context and myth-busting, you may find this page on the myth of the ‘black pope’ useful.

If you meant “How do cardinals elect the Pope?”

Because the phrase how are cardinals elected is often used when people want to know how a Pope is chosen, here is a clear, concise overview of the conclave. The rules are set in papal documents, notably one governing the period when the papal office is vacant and the conclave procedure itself.

From “sede vacante” to “Habemus Papam”

Sede vacante: When the Pope dies or resigns, the See of Rome becomes vacant. Preparatory meetings of cardinals (general congregations) address practical matters and discuss the situation of the Church, though no campaign speeches or lobbying are permitted.
Entering conclave: Cardinal electors (under age 80) enter the Sistine Chapel. They swear an oath of secrecy and follow carefully prescribed rituals intended to ensure freedom of decision, security, and prayerful discernment.
Balloting: The election proceeds by secret ballot. A two-thirds majority is required. Typically, there are up to four ballots a day, with pauses for prayer and reflection. If no one achieves the required majority, voting continues.
Result: When a candidate gains the required majority, he is asked whether he accepts and what name he will take. Smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel indicate progress: black smoke for an inconclusive vote; white smoke for a successful election.
Announcement: The senior cardinal deacon appears on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica and proclaims “Habemus Papam”—“We have a Pope.”

Understanding this process gives valuable context to the question how are cardinals elected, because the public tends to hear most about cardinals during a conclave. Yet the conclave is where cardinals elect the Pope, not where cardinals themselves are chosen.

Legal foundations and official texts

For those seeking authoritative references on how are cardinals elected in the Catholic sense (that is, created by the Pope), the Code of Canon Law provides the basics on who can be made a cardinal and under what conditions. You can consult the Code of Canon Law (1983) online, particularly Canon 351 on cardinals.

For the conclave rules—how cardinals elect the Pope—the normative document is an apostolic constitution that governs elections. The official English text of the apostolic constitution on papal elections can be found on the Holy See’s website here: Universi Dominici Gregis (1996). Later modifications and clarifications were issued as well; for example, Pope Benedict XVI’s norms adjusting some aspects of the voting process can be consulted at the Vatican’s resources.

Practical examples and recent trends

In recent decades, Popes have emphasised reaching the “peripheries” of the Church by creating cardinals from dioceses that had never before had a cardinal. This has diversified the College and ensured a more representative voice when significant decisions are made. In practice, when observers ask how are cardinals elected and why a particular bishop has been chosen, the explanation often lies in the Pope’s desire to reflect missionary vitality, pastoral initiatives, or the growth of Catholic communities in a region that had previously been underrepresented.

Another trend is the appointment of cardinals who have led significant charitable, educational, or diplomatic efforts. The range of experience brought into the College helps the Pope receive counsel informed by different contexts—crucial for a global church navigating complex social and moral questions.

Common mistakes to avoid when discussing how are cardinals elected

Confusing selection with election: Remember: the Pope selects cardinals; cardinals elect the Pope.
Assuming automatic creation: Not every large or historic diocese will automatically receive a red hat, and not all Vatican roles lead to it.
Thinking numbers are fixed: The number of cardinal electors has been guided by conventions (such as 120 electors), yet the Pope can vary the overall total of cardinals and the number of consistories.
Overlooking age rules: Cardinals over 80 cannot vote in a conclave, though they remain cardinals and may still be influential advisers.

Recommended external resources

Frequently asked questions about how are cardinals elected

Are cardinals elected by other bishops or priests?

No. Although the phrase how are cardinals elected is common, cardinals are actually chosen by the Pope and created during a consistory. There is no vote among bishops or priests to become a cardinal.

Can a priest be made a cardinal without being a bishop?

Yes, though it is exceptional. Church law presumes cardinals are bishops, but the Pope may dispense from this requirement. In such cases, the Pope considers specific reasons—age, health, or the distinctive service of the person—to grant a dispensation.

Do cardinals have to be from certain countries or dioceses?

No. While many large dioceses have traditionally had cardinals, there is no automatic right. Popes increasingly choose cardinals from a broad range of countries and dioceses to reflect the Church’s diversity. This helps explain some selections that surprise those who ask how are cardinals elected.

How many cardinals can vote for the Pope?

Only cardinals under 80 years of age at the start of a conclave are eligible to vote. A commonly cited guideline sets the number of electors at around 120, though the precise total can vary over time as the Pope creates new cardinals.

What is the difference between cardinal-bishops, cardinal-priests, and cardinal-deacons?

These are historic orders within the College tied to ancient roles in the Church of Rome. Today, the distinctions are largely ceremonial and relate to the type of titular assignment received. They do not constitute different ranks of sacramental ordination; all are cardinals with shared responsibilities, including advising the Pope and, if eligible, voting in a conclave.

Is there a published list of who might be made cardinal next?

No official shortlist exists. The Pope makes the decision, sometimes with input from advisers, and announces new cardinals when a consistory is called. Predicting selections is common, but not authoritative.

Why do some people call the Jesuit leader the “black pope”?

It is an old nickname for the Superior General of the Jesuits, referencing the black cassock traditionally worn by Jesuits, as distinct from the Pope’s white. The title does not imply any role in how are cardinals elected, nor does it signal hidden power over the College.

Conclusion on how are cardinals elected

To answer the headline question plainly: how are cardinals elected? They are not elected at all—cardinals are chosen by the Pope and formally created in a ceremonial consistory, where they receive the red biretta, a ring, and a titular assignment in Rome. This process underscores the close bond between the Pope and his principal advisers, who are drawn from around the world to reflect the Church’s global mission.

At the same time, the reason many ask how are cardinals elected is that cardinals themselves elect the Pope in a conclave. That procedure—governed by detailed rules, steeped in prayer, and marked by secrecy—ensures that the Church’s chief pastor is chosen by those entrusted with this solemn responsibility.

If you keep the distinction clear—cardinals are created by the Pope; cardinals elect the Pope—you will not only understand how are cardinals elected in the proper sense, but also appreciate how the Church balances tradition, global representation, and spiritual discernment at the highest levels of its governance.

In everyday conversation, it is easy to mix the terms. Now, with the basics in hand, you can explain to others how are cardinals elected and, just as importantly, how they elect the Pope when the moment arrives.

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