cardinaldeacons

Cardinal deacons are a rank within the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. They constitute the lowest of the three orders of cardinalate: cardinal deacons, cardinal priests, and cardinal bishops. Most cardinal deacons are priests who have been ordained to the diaconate; occasionally a bishop is created cardinal deacon.

When named, a cardinal deacon is assigned a deaconry, a titular church in Rome, symbolically linking him to that local church. The deaconry designation is separate from his diocese or territory.

Functions: They participate in the governance of the Church, and, if under 80, participate in papal conclaves. They may head dicasteries in the Roman Curia and hold other responsibilities; the senior cardinal deacon, the protodeacon, has the privilege of announcing the pope's name upon a papal vacancy and performing certain liturgical acts during the papal installation.

Promotion: Cardinal deacons may be elevated to cardinal priests, typically after about ten years, and, in some cases, further promoted to cardinal bishop. Promotions are decided by the pope and typically occur at consistories.

Notes: The role, customs, and canonical provisions regarding cardinal deacons have evolved since the early Church and are governed by canon law and papal practice.