Cardeal

Cardeal is the Portuguese term for cardinal, a senior official in the Roman Catholic Church. The English equivalent is cardinal; in Spanish it is cardenal. In Portuguese-language usage, cardeal also appears as a surname and can be found in geographical or institutional names.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin cardinalis, meaning principal or hinge, reflecting the central governance role assigned to cardinals. The term has cognates across Romance languages (cardenal in Spanish, cardinal in English, cardinale in Italian, cardeal in Portuguese).

Role and function: Cardinals form the College of Cardinals, a body that advises the pope and, most notably, elects a new pope in a papal conclave. In practice, only cardinals under the age of 80 vote. Cardinals are usually recruited from bishops or archbishops, though the precise appointment is at the pope’s discretion; they are categorized as cardinal bishops, cardinal priests, or cardinal deacons, reflecting different liturgical privileges and responsibilities.

Ceremonial insignia and usage: Cardinals wear distinctive red garments, including a red biretta and mozzetta, as a symbol of their willingness to shed blood for the church. The title is used in Catholic teaching and devotion, and in Portuguese-speaking countries cardeal appears in personal names and cultural references.