How to become a cardinal: essential, complete guide in 7 steps

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how to become a cardinal

For many Catholics and observers of the Church, the question of how to become a cardinal is both intriguing and mysterious. Cardinals are among the Pope’s closest advisers and, crucially, they elect his successor. Yet there is no application form, no public shortlist, and no guaranteed ladder to climb. Instead, the path is a mixture of vocation, decades of pastoral service, academic formation, leadership, and the Pope’s personal choice. This article explains the essentials in clear, practical terms so you understand the real process and the spirit behind it.

Before we begin, it is helpful to recognise that how to become a cardinal is not quite like pursuing a conventional career. While there are common steps and experiences that often precede the red hat, the final decision rests with the Pope and is shaped by the needs of the universal Church at a given time. Knowing this will help you focus on what you can truly influence: faithful service, personal holiness, and steady competence.

What it means and why how to become a cardinal matters

Cardinals are senior members of the Catholic hierarchy. Collectively they form the College of Cardinals, whose principal function is to advise the Pope and to elect a new Pope in a conclave when the See of Rome is vacant. Many cardinals are archbishops of large dioceses (especially major cities), or heads of departments in the Roman Curia (the administrative offices of the Holy See). The distinctive red colour of their garments symbolises their willingness to serve Christ and the Church even to the shedding of blood.

Understanding this role clarifies why how to become a cardinal is not a simple question of advancement. Cardinals are chosen not only for administrative ability but for pastoral wisdom, doctrinal soundness, prayerfulness, and a broad vision of the Church. In summary: cardinals must combine leadership with humility, learning with pastoral heart, and fidelity with missionary zeal.

Prerequisites and realities of how to become a cardinal

There are a few baseline facts everyone should know about how cardinals are appointed, because they shape how to become a cardinal in the real world:

Cardinals are freely chosen by the Pope. Names are considered after consultation, but the decision is his alone.
In current practice, cardinals are selected from bishops. The Code of Canon Law states that cardinal candidates must at least be priests and “outstanding in doctrine, morals, piety, and prudence.” Those not already bishops are normally consecrated as such, although the Pope can dispense from episcopal ordination in particular cases.
Cardinals under the age of 80 may vote in a conclave; those over 80 retain the title and many responsibilities but are not electors.
There is no formal “course” in how to become a cardinal. The closest thing to a pattern is long, proven service as a diocesan bishop, archbishop, or Curial leader, bolstered by theological or canonical education and a reputation for pastoral effectiveness and integrity.

A practical implication is that how to become a cardinal nearly always begins by discerning a vocation to priesthood and then serving with distinction over the long term, sometimes through diocesan leadership, sometimes through the Holy See’s diplomatic service or Curial roles, sometimes through notable evangelising or scholarly work.

A step-by-step path: how to become a cardinal in practice

1) Discern a vocation to the priesthood

If you want to know how to become a cardinal in any realistic sense, start with the question of priestly vocation. Speak to your diocesan vocations director, pray consistently, and seek spiritual direction. Becoming a priest is about serving God’s people, celebrating the sacraments, preaching the Gospel, and living a life of charity and obedience. Without that foundation, the red hat should not be on your horizon.

2) Enter seminary and complete formation

Sooner or later, how to become a cardinal passes through seminary formation. This typically involves studies in philosophy and theology, human and spiritual formation, and pastoral training. Most candidates earn at least a Bachelor of Sacred Theology or equivalent; many later pursue advanced degrees, such as a licentiate or doctorate in theology (STL/STD) or canon law (JCL/JCD). Strong academic formation builds the doctrinal depth and discernment expected of future leaders.

3) Ordination and early priestly ministry

After diaconate and priestly ordination, you serve in parishes, chaplaincies, or diocesan roles. Your early years are an apprenticeship in pastoral care, preaching, administration, and community leadership. The Pope looks for men who have demonstrated steady, compassionate service over many years. If you wonder how to become a cardinal from here, remember: exemplary everyday ministry is the seedbed of later responsibilities.

4) Develop expertise and leadership

Priests who later become bishops—and potentially cardinals—often show particular strengths, such as:

Theological or canonical expertise, sometimes through teaching or writing.
Administrative capability, perhaps as a vicar general, seminary rector, or diocesan chancellor.
Pastoral innovation, establishing new ministries or revitalising parishes.
Language skills and cross-cultural fluency, essential for international service.

At this stage, the question of how to become a cardinal shifts from “What title can I get?” to “How can I serve more effectively?” Genuine service tends to be noticed; self-promotion does not help.

5) Appointment as bishop

Most future cardinals are appointed bishops. Candidates are identified through confidential consultation among bishops, recommendations from the apostolic nuncio (the Pope’s ambassador to a country), and input from local Church leaders. A strong record of pastoral care, doctrinal fidelity, prudence, and integrity is essential. If appointed, you receive episcopal consecration and take up leadership of a diocese or an auxiliary role in a larger diocese.

6) Paths that often lead to the red hat

There is no single path, but historically these routes have often preceded cardinalatial appointment:

Archbishop of a major see: Leading a significant archdiocese with fidelity and competence is one well-known route. Not all archbishops are made cardinals, but many are.
Service in the Roman Curia: Headship of a major dicastery (department) can be a step towards the red hat, as the Pope values experienced collaborators at the heart of Church governance.
Diplomatic service: Alumni of the Holy See’s diplomatic corps sometimes move from nunciatures to diocesan leadership or Curial roles and may be considered for the College of Cardinals.
Exceptional pastoral or missionary witness: In recent years, Popes have created cardinals from “the peripheries,” honouring pastors who have led in challenging contexts with remarkable faith and courage.

In sum, the practical answer to how to become a cardinal is: grow where you are planted, serve with integrity, deepen your knowledge of the faith, and be open to assignments that stretch your leadership.

Selection and appointment: how to become a cardinal from shortlist to consistory

How names are considered

The precise process is confidential, but it typically involves input from the apostolic nuncios, existing cardinals, and leaders in the Curia, alongside the Pope’s personal discernment. Regional balance, pastoral needs, and the universal nature of the Church all play a part. If you are exploring how to become a cardinal in terms of process, recognise that it culminates in the Pope’s free decision for the good of the whole Church.

Public announcement and the consistory

When the Pope decides, he announces a consistory—a formal meeting during which new cardinals are created. The candidates’ names are proclaimed publicly and, at the consistory itself, they receive the red biretta and a ring. Each is assigned a titular church in Rome, linking every cardinal to the Diocese of Rome and symbolising collaboration with the Pope.

Obligations and rights after appointment

Cardinals serve as principal advisers to the Pope and, if under 80, as electors in a conclave. Many participate in congregations and councils in the Curia, and they often continue as diocesan bishops or heads of Vatican offices. For anyone imagining how to become a cardinal, it is crucial to understand that the appointment brings greater service, not status alone.

Qualities the Pope looks for

Popes have consistently emphasised that the red hat is a call to deeper service. Qualities typically sought include:

Pastoral charity: a proven love for people, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Doctrinal fidelity and theological depth.
Sound judgement and prudence in governance.
Missionary spirit: the ability to evangelise effectively in contemporary culture.
Global perspective and intercultural competence.
Personal integrity and simplicity of life.

If you are discerning how to become a cardinal, these qualities are a better guide than any checklist of posts to acquire.

Myths and mistakes about how to become a cardinal

Because the process is not public, myths abound. Here are some common misunderstandings worth avoiding:

Myth: You can “apply” to be a cardinal. Reality: You cannot. Appointments are by papal choice.
Myth: It’s a fixed promotion ladder. Reality: There is no guaranteed sequence; the Pope often surprises the Church by choosing pastors from unexpected places.
Myth: It’s mainly about networking. Reality: Personal connections are not the point; proven holiness, competence, and service are.
Mistake: Treating how to become a cardinal as a personal ambition. Reality: Ambition is spiritually hazardous. Focus on vocation and service; if leadership comes, receive it as a responsibility, not a prize.
Myth: Only archbishops of traditional “cardinalatial sees” are chosen. Reality: The Pope’s appointments increasingly highlight missionary witness and geographic diversity.

Timelines, training, and practical preparation

Practically speaking, how to become a cardinal—if it happens at all—takes decades. Expect many years in parish ministry, followed by leadership roles that test your stamina, character, and discretion. Academic study, especially in theology or canon law, is valuable; so too are language skills (Latin, Italian, and other major languages), and the ability to communicate the faith clearly in public settings.

Spiritual preparation matters most. Regular prayer, the sacraments, spiritual direction, and a firm commitment to the Church’s teaching are essential. Leadership without holiness can become hollow. Holiness without competence can be ineffective. The cardinals who inspire most typically unite both.

How different roles and traditions relate to the red hat

The Catholic Church’s global diversity means there are varied pathways to senior responsibility. Differences in tradition and governance between Churches are explored here: differences between Orthodox and Catholic churches. While the Orthodox and Catholic traditions share much, the cardinalate pertains specifically to the Catholic Church under the Bishop of Rome.

Within the Catholic world, religious orders can also be represented among cardinals. For example, the Superior General of the Jesuits is sometimes informally nicknamed the “Black Pope” due to his black clerical attire and influential role; for background, see this note on the meaning of the term “Black Pope”. This nickname does not imply authority over the Pope, nor does it indicate a route to the cardinalate, but it illustrates how leadership in religious life can intersect with wider Church service.

Useful terms if you want to understand how to become a cardinal

Consistory: The ceremony where new cardinals are created and receive the red biretta and ring.
Conclave: The closed-door gathering of cardinal electors to choose a new Pope.
Roman Curia: The administrative organs that assist the Pope in governing the Church.
Cardinal bishops, priests, deacons: Traditional orders within the College of Cardinals; today these are largely honorary distinctions not directly tied to episcopal rank.
Title or deaconry: The Roman church assigned symbolically to each cardinal, linking him to the Diocese of Rome.

Knowing these terms will help you follow official announcements and appreciate where you are in the journey of how to become a cardinal, should your path progress that far.

Historical notes that shape how to become a cardinal today

Historically, some cardinals were not bishops and even, in earlier centuries, were not priests; the modern norm, however, is different. Today, the Code of Canon Law expects cardinals to be at least priests and ordinarily to be ordained bishops unless the Pope dispenses them. Recent Popes have occasionally created cardinals who remained priests because of their age or specific role, confirming that while there are norms, there is flexibility when pastoral reasons suggest it.

Another historical development is the emphasis on global representation. The College of Cardinals now includes members from a wider range of countries than ever before, reflecting the Church’s growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. That shift broadens how to become a cardinal in practice: outstanding leadership in newer or smaller dioceses can be recognised just as surely as service in long-established centres.

Recommended external resources

If you wish to explore authoritative sources on structures and norms relevant to how to become a cardinal, these references are helpful:

Code of Canon Law, canons 349–359, on the College of Cardinals
Overview of the College of Cardinals and cardinalate with historical context and terminology
Holy See Press Office announcements for consistories and official appointments

Frequently asked questions about how to become a cardinal

Can a layperson become a cardinal?

In earlier centuries, some cardinals were laymen, but current practice expects cardinals to be at least priests. The law envisions that those chosen who are not already bishops will ordinarily be consecrated bishops, though the Pope can dispense from episcopal ordination in particular cases. In short, for practical purposes today, it begins with priestly ordination.

Do you need to be a bishop to be made a cardinal?

Normally yes, though the Pope can dispense. Many cardinals are diocesan bishops or archbishops, or they head Vatican departments. On occasion, the Pope has created cardinals from among senior priests of outstanding merit, dispensing them from becoming bishops because of age or specific circumstances.

Is there an age limit for cardinals?

There is no upper age limit to be named a cardinal, but at 80 a cardinal loses the right to vote in a conclave. Many cardinals over 80 continue to advise the Pope and serve in significant ways, even if they are not electors.

What is a consistory?

A consistory is the ceremony where the Pope creates new cardinals. Their names are announced in advance, and at the ceremony they receive the red biretta and ring and are assigned a titular church in Rome. Consistories can also be used for other important decisions, such as approving canonisations.

How long does it take to become a cardinal?

There is no set timeline. The journey often involves decades of priestly and episcopal ministry, academic preparation, and leadership in diocesan or Curial roles. If you are thinking about how to become a cardinal, expect a long, faithful path rather than a rapid ascent.

What is the difference between a cardinal and an archbishop?

An archbishop leads an archdiocese or holds an honorary title; a cardinal is a member of the College of Cardinals, with the specific role of advising the Pope and, if under 80, electing a new one. Many archbishops are cardinals, but not all; and some cardinals serve primarily in the Roman Curia rather than heading a diocese.

Does serving in the Vatican increase your chances?

Service in the Roman Curia can be a path to the red hat, but it is not guaranteed. Popes consider the needs of the universal Church and often elevate pastors with strong local leadership, missionary experience, or notable contributions in other areas.

Conclusion on how to become a cardinal

In the end, how to become a cardinal is less about climbing a ladder and more about answering a call. The surest route is the most straightforward: discern priesthood sincerely, receive solid formation, serve God’s people with humility and competence, and accept assignments that ask more of you. The Pope’s choice is not a reward for ambition but a recognition of readiness to serve the whole Church.

If you are reflecting on how to become a cardinal, focus on the habits that matter over the long term: prayer, study, pastoral charity, and integrity. The Church needs shepherds who are both wise and holy. Whether or not the red hat is ever offered, a life lived in that spirit will bear fruit for the Gospel and bring real hope to the communities you serve.

Finally, remember that how to become a cardinal has a deeply personal dimension: it is God who calls, the Church who confirms, and the Pope who sends. Keep your eyes on the Lord, and let service—not status—be your guide.

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