Cardinal

one of the body of counsellors of the Pope who, next to him, hold the highest dignity in the church. According to the present law the appointment of cardinals rests with the Pope, who generally consults the existing cardinals, and often receives proposals from secular governments. The cardinals in Conclave elect the new Pope, have constant acce to him, and form his chief council. They have a vote at general councils, and since the 18th century, precedence over all other members. They have had since Urban VIII. the title of ‘‘ Fiminenece.””’ The body of cardinals is called the Sacred College. Their insignia are the red cardinal’s hat, which is given them by the Pope, and not worn, but suspended in the church of their title, and finally buried with them; the red biretta, the sapphire ring, the mitre of white silk, ete. If a cardinal holds an episcopal see, he must reside there; otherwise he must not leave Rome without permi ion. At the head of the college of cardinals stands the dean, who is usually Bishop of Ostia and senior of the cardinal bishops. It is he who consecrates the newly-elected Pope, if not already a bishop. In the United States the first cardinal was McCloskey (1875); the second, Gibbons (1886). Gibbons was the first American cardinal to take part in the election of a pope — that of Pius X. in 1903.