Cardinaal
Cardinaal is the Dutch term for cardinal, a senior official in the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinals form the College of Cardinals and assist the pope in governing the church, advising him on matters of doctrine, discipline, and administration. The most visible function of cardinals is to elect a new pope in a conclave after the death or resignation of the pope.
Etymology: The word derives from Latin cardinalis, meaning “hinge” or “main,” signaling a pivotal or principal
Organization and roles: The College of Cardinals is traditionally divided into three orders: cardinal bishops, cardinal
Appointment and tenure: Cardinals are appointed by the pope and generally serve for life. Those who reach
Contemporary role: Today many cardinals preside over Vatican dicasteries (departments) or lead important archdioceses worldwide. The