Kardinaal

Kardinaal is the Dutch term for Cardinal, a senior official in the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinals form the College of Cardinals, which advises the pope and, when necessary, elects a pope in a conclave. They are appointed by the pope for life and belong to one of three ranks: cardinal-bishop, cardinal-priest, and cardinal-deacon, reflecting their traditional roles within the church and their links to Rome.

In practice, many cardinals are bishops of dioceses or heads of Vatican congregations. The college serves as the principal body in papal governance and serves as the pool from which the pope can select his successor. Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to participate in a papal election; those aged 80 or older on the day the conclave begins are not permitted to vote.

Each cardinal is assigned a titular church in Rome (for cardinal-priests) or a deaconry (for cardinal-deacons), symbolizing his link to the Diocese of Rome. The appointment is conferred by papal decree and is typically recognized through a formal ceremony. The tradition underscores the cardinals’ close connection to the Holy See and their role in guiding the church through governance and counsel.

The term derives from Latin cardinalis, meaning fundamental or hinge, reflecting their role as principal advisers and organizers of church governance. The College of Cardinals and the conclave remain central to papal governance and the selection of new popes.

In Dutch usage, Kardinaal also refers to the red bird species Cardinalis cardinalis, commonly known simply as the cardinal or red cardinal.