College of Cardinals

The Sacred College of Cardinals is the body of all Cardinals of the Catholic Church. Its members advise the pope. During vacancies in the papacy resulting from the death or resignation of the pope, the College of Cardinals constitutes the sovereign authority within the Vatican City and the highest authority in the Catholic Church. The College of Cardinals meets behind closed doors, i.e., in Conclave, to elect the new pope.

While it is not required it has been the norm, not violated since the election of Urban VI in 1378, that the new Pope be one of the Cardinals.

Since January 1, 1971, the cardinals over age 80 have not had a vote in the election of popes, under the terms of Pope Paul VI's motu proprio Ingravescentam Aetatem.