Cardinal

In modern usage the term refers to a member of the secred college of the Roman Catholic, who holds the right to elect, and to be elected, the pope.

The term derives from cardo, a Latin word for 'a wedge that is driven into something,' and originally referred to a priest appointed to a local church. In time they were gathered together into a 'college' and served as the Pope's immediate counsellors, helping him to run the government of the church and to represent him in his official role when he could not be present. Since 1179 the right of electing a new pope has been their exclusive right. Political infighting eventually forced the pope to establish the curia, a papal court of handpicked administrators to get around the resulting administrative inertia.