CARDINALS, COLLEGE OF. The Codex of Canon Law, ordered to be codified by Pius X. and promulgated by Bene dict XV. by the Bull, Providentissima Mater, in 1917, contains perhaps the last word to be said concerning the cardinalitial dignity and the privileges and duties attached to the office of those who wear the Tuber galerus. The matter is there so well digested that little further compression is possible or comment necessary.
The cardinals are described as the Pope's counsellors and ad jutants in the three orders of 6 cardinal bishops, 5o cardinal priests and 14 cardinal deacons. They are to be chosen freely from all countries for their doctrine, piety and prudence. The cardinal bishop first in promotion becomes dean of the Sacred College, but only as first among equals. Cardinals are required to live in Rome, even the cardinal bishops of suburban Sees. Cardinals occupying Sees abroad are required to approach the Pope on arrival in Rome, and not to leave without his per mission.
The new Code contains the Constitution of Pius X. Vacante Sede Apostolica, which summarizes most minutely the duties of the cardinals during the interregnum between one pontificate and the next. The cardinals have no power, except in matter of immediate business. The cardinals are required to meet and make the ceremonial arrangements for burying one Pope and for electing another. The ingress of the cardinals into conclave and their closure is minutely ordered. Secrecy is imposed upon all the cardinals and the conclavists under pain of excommunication. By the Commissum nobis Piux X. abolished the veto claimed by the Catholic powers under an unwritten law. See CARDINAL;