College of Cardinals

The Sacred College of Cardinals is the body of all Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. The body plays two roles for the church:

Related Topics:
Cardinals - Roman Catholic Church

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• participating in papal elections when the Holy See is vacant, and
• advising the Roman Pontiff about Church matters when he summons them to a consistory.

Historically, they were also the clergy of the city of Rome serving the Pope as the Bishop of Rome and were assigned duties in parishes of the city.

Related Topics:
Clergy - Rome - Pope - Bishop - Parish

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The College has no ruling power except during the sede vacante period, where its powers are still extremely limited according to Universi Dominici Gregis.

Related Topics:
Sede vacante - Universi Dominici Gregis

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The president and vice-president of the college are the Dean of the College of Cardinals and the Sub-Dean. Both are elected by the cardinals holding suburbicarian dioceses, but the election requires Papal confirmation. Except for presiding, the Dean has no power of governance over the cardinals, instead acting as primus inter pares.

Related Topics:
President - Vice-president - Dean of the College of Cardinals - Suburbicarian diocese - Primus inter pares

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The prefects of Vatican Congregations are always Cardinals.

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College of Cardinals: Choosing the pope ►