There is much speculation that Pope Francis will call a consistory in the near future, either December of this year or February of 2017. A consistory is an assembly of the College of Cardinals gathered in council with the Holy Father. At this much anticipated consistory, it is expected that Pope Francis will name a number of new prelates to the College, whose principal task is to elect the successor of Pope in the event of his death or abdication from the Pontifical Office. It is generally desirable that there be 120 Cardinal-electors. On account of recent deaths as well as the number of Cardinals who have exceeded the age of 80 years, that number has significantly decreased.
Cardinals are created by a formal decree of the Holy Father which is made public at the consistory. The newly-created Cardinal is not ordained or consecrated, because the title is not sacramental. Moreover, even though people generally refer to a Cardinal as one who has received the "red hat" (the galero) which had a wide brin and tiers of tassels, it is no longer bestowed. Instead, Cardinals now receive a scarlet skullcap (zuchetto) and ceremonial cap (biretta).
Who can be named a Cardinal? Anyone the Holy Father chooses. Prior to 1917, a Cardinal did not have to be ordained. However, Pope Benedict XV, in promulgating the Code of Canon Law that same year, declared that in order for an individual to be capable of validly and licitly being named to the College of Cardinals, he already must have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders as a priest or a bishop.
Becoming a Cardinal does not increase a person's authority either in his diocese or his country. It is, however, a title of prestige and influence.
Cardinals exercise three functions within the Church.
Most importantly, those who have not completed the age of 80 years meet in conclave, the assembly of all Cardinals of voting age to elect the new Supreme Pontiff. The College of Cardinals became the sole electors of the Pope in 1059 AD. Before that, the Priests and people of the Diocese of Rome elected their bishop as was the custom in most dioceses at that time. Historians tell us that the reason for the election of the Pope by the Cardinals was to free the Sacred Office itself from the political pressure which Roman nobility would place upon the clergy and laity to elect their chosen candidate.
In addition to this principal function, Cardinals also offer advice to the Holy Father in his administration and governance of the Universal Church. They do this in two ways. First, by way of consistories at which all of the Cardinals meet to provide their counsel to the Pope. Second and more commonly, they serve as executives (prefects) or as members of various Vatican Congregations, Councils or Offices which comprise the Roman Curia.
Cardinals are likewise given title to a particular church in Rome for which they become responsible, their so-called titular church. These church were once the major churches of the Diocese of Rome and a Cardinal's right to vote at the election of a new Pope was based on the fact that he was pastor of one of these churches. It is not uncommon that Cardinals from wealthy countries are given title of Roman churches which are in need of expensive maintenance or repair.
Every now and then, we hear of a Pope naming a Cardinal in pectore, that is, in secret. Oftentimes, even the person himself does not know he was named a Cardinal. This occurs because the Pope names a person from a country where the government would oppose the appointment or where being a Catholic is very dangerous. Sometimes, it takes decades for a Cardinal in pectore to be publicly announced.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to assist Pope Francis should he decide to call a consistory and name new members to the College of Cardinals. May they be persons of prayer and good will, faithful servants of Christ's redemptive charity and mercy. May the Lord bless the Church always and give her the Grace to be a worthy instrument of His Salvation.
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