cardinalate

Cardinalate refers to the rank, title, and office of a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinals form the College of Cardinals, a body that advises the pope and, in the event of a papal vacancy, elects a new pope. The cardinalate traces back to the early Church and became a formal rank in the Middle Ages. Cardinals are appointed by the pope in a consistory and are divided into three orders: cardinal bishops, cardinal priests, and cardinal deacons. Cardinal bishops historically oversee the suburbicarian sees near Rome; today they are usually senior members of the college and may hold leadership posts within the curia. Cardinal priests are senior clergy of major dioceses worldwide, and cardinal deacons are typically assigned to Rome and often assist with the Vatican's departments.

The cardinalate is a lifelong office. The College serves as the pope's principal body of advisers and, when the Holy See is vacant, as the pool from which electors are drawn for a conclave. By rule, cardinals under the age of 80 on the opening day of the conclave are eligible to vote; those aged 80 or older do not participate in the voting but may participate in other cardinalate functions.

Insignia associated with the cardinalate include distinctive red attire and accessories, symbolizing readiness to defend the faith and a closeness to the papal See. Cardinalate thus combines spiritual authority with governance responsibilities within the global Catholic Church.