The dean of the College of Cardinals ( la, Decanus Collegii Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalium) presides over the

College of Cardinals The College of Cardinals, or more formally the Sacred College of Cardinals, is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church. its current membership is , of whom are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope. Cardinals are app ...

in the

Roman Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

, serving as '' primus inter pares'' (first among equals). The position was established in the early 12th century. He always holds the rank of a

cardinal bishop A cardinal ( la, Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae cardinalis, literally 'cardinal of the Holy Roman Church') is a senior member of the clergy of the Catholic Church. Cardinals are created by the ruling pope and typically hold the title for life. C ...

, and is assisted by a vice-dean. Both are elected by and from the cardinal bishops who are not Eastern Catholic patriarchs, with their election subject to papal confirmation. Except for presiding over the college, the dean and vice-dean have no power over the other cardinals. In the

order of precedence in the Catholic Church Precedence signifies the right to enjoy a prerogative of honor before other persons; for example, to have the most distinguished place in a procession, a ceremony, or an assembly, to have the right to express an opinion, cast a vote, or append ...

, the dean and vice-dean, as the two most senior cardinals, are placed second and third, respectively, after the

pope The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...

. It had been customary for centuries for the longest-serving of the six cardinal bishops of suburbicarian sees to be the dean. This was required by

canon law Canon law (from grc, κανών, , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is th ...

from 1917 until 1965, when

Pope Paul VI Pope Paul VI ( la, Paulus VI; it, Paolo VI; born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini, ; 26 September 18976 August 1978) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 21 June 1963 to his death in Augus ...

empowered the six to elect the dean from among their number. This election was a formality until the time of

Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II ( la, Ioannes Paulus II; it, Giovanni Paolo II; pl, Jan Paweł II; born Karol Józef Wojtyła ; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 until his ...

. In 2019, upon accepting Cardinal Angelo Sodano's resignation as dean of the College of Cardinals,

Pope Francis Pope Francis ( la, Franciscus; it, Francesco; es, link=, Francisco; born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936) is the head of the Catholic Church. He has been the bishop of Rome and sovereign of the Vatican City State since 13 March 2013. ...

established that the dean would henceforth serve a five-year term that may be renewed once. Sodano received the title "dean emeritus" upon resigning on 21 December 2019. In anticipation of the election of Sodano's successor, Francis said: "I am hoping they will elect someone who can carry this important responsibility full time." Previously, the dean held the position until death or resignation; there was no mandatory age of retirement.

Responsibilities

The dean summons the

conclave A papal conclave is a gathering of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a bishop of Rome, also known as the pope. Catholics consider the pope to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and the earthly head of the Catholic Church. Co ...

for the purposes of electing a new

following a death or

resignation Resignation is the formal act of leaving or quitting one's office or position. A resignation can occur when a person holding a position gained by election or appointment steps down, but leaving a position upon the expiration of a term, or choos ...

. The Dean presides over the daily meetings of the College of Cardinals in advance of the conclave and then presides over the conclave if his age does not prohibit his participation. The dean also has the responsibility of communicating the "news of the Pope's death to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See and to the Heads of the respective Nations". He is the public face of the Holy See until a new pope is elected. If he participates in the conclave, the dean asks the pope-elect if he accepts the election, and then asks the new pope what name he wishes to use. If the dean himself is elected pope, the afore mentioned tasks are assumed by the sub-dean of the College of Cardinals. If the newly elected pope is not already a

bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is c ...

, the dean ordains him a bishop. The dean has "the

title A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify either generation, an official position, or a professional or academic qualification. In some languages, titles may be inserted between the f ...

of the diocese of Ostia, together with that of any other church to which he already has a title," such as his suburbicarian diocese. This has been the case since 1914, by decree of Pope Pius X—previous deans had given up their suburbicarian see and taken the joint title of Ostia and Velletri, which were separated in that same 1914 decree.

Deans elected pope

Nine Deans have been elected pope:

Anastasius IV Pope Anastasius IV ( – 3 December 1154), born Corrado Demetri della Suburra, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 8 July 1153 to his death in 1154. He is the most recent pope to take the name "Anastasius" upon his ...

Lucius III Pope Lucius III (c. 1097 – 25 November 1185), born Ubaldo Allucingoli, reigned from 1 September 1181 to his death in 1185. Born of an aristocratic family of Lucca, prior to being elected pope, he had a long career as a papal diplomat. His pa ...

Gregory IX Pope Gregory IX ( la, Gregorius IX; born Ugolino di Conti; c. 1145 or before 1170 – 22 August 1241) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 19 March 1227 until his death in 1241. He is known for issuing the '' Decre ...

, Alexander IV, John XXI,

Alexander VI Pope Alexander VI ( it, Alessandro VI, va, Alexandre VI, es, Alejandro VI; born Rodrigo de Borja; ca-valencia, Roderic Llançol i de Borja ; es, Rodrigo Lanzol y de Borja, lang ; 1431 – 18 August 1503) was head of the Catholic Churc ...

Paul III Pope Paul III ( la, Paulus III; it, Paolo III; 29 February 1468 – 10 November 1549), born Alessandro Farnese, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 13 October 1534 to his death in November 1549. He came to ...

Paul IV Pope Paul IV, born Gian Pietro Carafa, C.R. ( la, Paulus IV; it, Paolo IV; 28 June 1476 – 18 August 1559) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 23 May 1555 to his death in August 1559. While serving as pap ...

, and

Benedict XVI Pope Benedict XVI ( la, Benedictus XVI; it, Benedetto XVI; german: link=no, Benedikt XVI.; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, , on 16 April 1927) is a retired prelate of the Catholic church who served as the head of the Church and the soverei ...

List of deans

The following is the list of deans of the Sacred College of Cardinals, separated into three groups to account for the

Western Schism The Western Schism, also known as the Papal Schism, the Vatican Standoff, the Great Occidental Schism, or the Schism of 1378 (), was a split within the Catholic Church lasting from 1378 to 1417 in which bishops residing in Rome and Avignon b ...

, which ended after the Council of Constance. The earliest attested reference to the "College of Cardinals" is at the Council of Reims in 1148. Each name in the following list includes years of birth and death, then comma-separated years of cardinalate and deanship.

Before the Western Schism

Pietro Senex Pietro Senex (died 1134) was Cardinal-Bishop of Porto from 1102 until his death. He was born probably in Rome. Rector of Benevento He appears for the first time as cardinal in March 1102, when he exercised the legatine duties in Benevento. From 110 ...

(d. 1134) (1102, before 1130) *

Guillaume Guillaume may refer to: People * Guillaume (given name), the French equivalent of William * Guillaume (surname) Other uses * Guillaume (crater) See also * '' Chanson de Guillaume'', an 11th or 12th century poem * Guillaume affair, a Cold War espi ...

(d. 1137/39) (1122, 1130) * Corrado della Suburra (1073–1154) (1114, 1137/39)
''Elected

Pope Anastasius IV Pope Anastasius IV ( – 3 December 1154), born Corrado Demetri della Suburra, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 8 July 1153 to his death in 1154. He is the most recent pope to take the name "Anastasius" upon his ...

in 1153'' *

Imar of Tusculum Imar, O.S.B. Cluny (died at Cluny on 28 October 1161) was a French Benedictine abbot, who served as a bishop and cardinal. Life In his youth, Imar became a monk at the Priory of Saint-Martin-des-Champs in Paris, a community belonging to the Clu ...

(d. 1161) (1142, 1153, deposed 1159) * Gregorio de Suburra (d. 1163) (1140, 1159) * Ubaldo Allucingoli (1097–1185) (1138, 1163)
''Elected

Pope Lucius III Pope Lucius III (c. 1097 – 25 November 1185), born Ubaldo Allucingoli, reigned from 1 September 1181 to his death in 1185. Born of an aristocratic family of Lucca, prior to being elected pope, he had a long career as a papal diplomat. His pa ...

in 1181'' *

Conrad of Wittelsbach Conrad of Wittelsbach (c. 1120/1125 – 25 October 1200) was the Archbishop of Mainz (as Conrad I) and Archchancellor of Germany from 20 June 1161 to 1165 and again from 1183 to his death. He was also a Cardinal (Catholicism), cardinal of the Roman ...

(1120/25–1200) (1165, 1181) *

Ottaviano di Paoli Ottaviano di Poli (surname given variously) (died 1206), a member of the family of the Counts of Poli, was an Italian Roman Catholic Cardinal. While still a subdeacon, he was sent as a papal legate to France by Pope Alexander III in 1178, to s ...

(d. 1206) (1182, 1200) * Pietro Gallocia (d. 1211) (1188, 1206) * Nicola de Romanis (d. 1219) (1204, 1211) * Ugolino Conti di Segni (1145–1241) (1198, 1219)
''Elected

Pope Gregory IX Pope Gregory IX ( la, Gregorius IX; born Ugolino di Conti; c. 1145 or before 1170 – 22 August 1241) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 19 March 1227 until his death in 1241. He is known for issuing the '' Decre ...

in 1227'' *

Pelagio Galvani Pelagio Galvani (c. 1165 – 30 January 1230, Portuguese: Latin: Pelagius) was a Leonese cardinal, and canon lawyer. He became a papal legate and leader of the Fifth Crusade. Born at Guimarães, his early life is little known. It is repeatedl ...

(d. 1230) (1206/07, 1227) * Jean Halgrin (1180–1237) (1227, 1230) * Jacques de Vitry (1160/70–1240) (1228, 1237) *

Rinaldo Conti Pope Alexander IV (1199 or 1185 – 25 May 1261) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 December 1254 to his death in 1261. Early career He was born as Rinaldo di Jenne in Jenne (now in the Province of Rome), he ...

(1185–1261) (1227, 1240)
''Elected

Pope Alexander IV Pope Alexander IV (1199 or 1185 – 25 May 1261) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 12 December 1254 to his death in 1261. Early career He was born as Rinaldo di Jenne in Jenne (now in the Province of Rome), he ...

in 1254'' *

Odo of Châteauroux Odo or Eudes of Châteauroux ( –25 January 1273), also known as and by many other names, was a French theologian and scholastic philosopher, papal legate and cardinal. He was “an experienced preacher and promoter of crusades”. Over 100 ...

(1190–1273) (1244, 1254) *

John of Toledo John of Toledo (died 1275) was an English Cistercian and Cardinal. Little is known about John before 1244: He was born in England, had studied medicine in Toledo and acquired theological skills at an unknown place. He became a Cistercian monk in th ...

(d. 1275) (1244, 1273) * João Pedro Julião (1210–1276) (1273, 1275)
''Elected

Pope John XXI Pope John XXI ( la, Ioannes XXI; – 20 May 1277), born Pedro Julião ( la, Petrus Iulianus), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 8 September 1276 to his death on 20 May 1277. Apart from Damasus I (from ...

in 1276'') * Bertrand de Saint-Martin (d. 1277) (1273, 1276) * Ordonho Alvares (1198–1285) (1278, 1278) * Bentivenga dei Bentivenghi (1230–1289) (1278, 1285) * Latino Malabranca Orsini (d. 1294) (1278, 1289) *

Gerardo Bianchi Gerardo Bianchi (1220/1225 – March 1, 1302) was an Italian churchman and papal diplomat, an important figure of the War of the Sicilian Vespers. Life Gerardo was born in Gainago, in the diocese of Parma, studied law at the University of Bologn ...

(1220/25–1302) (1278, 1294) *

Giovanni Boccamazza Giovanni Boccamazza (died 1309) was an Italian Cardinal. He was from the Roman nobility, and was a nephew of Cardinal Giacomo Savelli, who had been an important figure in the Roman Curia since his creation as cardinal in 1261. Early career On 14 ...

(d. 1309) (1285, 1302) *

Leonardo Patrasso Leonardo Patrasso (Alatri, 1230 – Lucca, 7 December 1311) was an Italian Franciscan and Cardinal. He was a canon at Alatri, and from 1290 its bishop. He was bishop of Aversa from 1297 to 1299.Giovanni Minio de Murovalle :''Giovanni Mincio may also refer to antipope Benedict X'' Giovanni Minio or Mincio, of Morrovalle or Murrovale (died August 1312) was an Italian Franciscan who became Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, cardinal-bishop of Porto (1302 ...

(1250–1312) (1302, 1311) * Nicolò Albertini (1250–1321) (1303, 1312) *

Berengar Fredol the Elder Berengar Fredol or Bérenger Frédol (1250 – 11 June 1323) was a French canon lawyer and Cardinal-Bishop of Frascati. Celestine V He was canon and precentor of Béziers, secular Abbot of Saint-Aphrodise in the same city, canon and archdeaco ...

(1250–1323) (1305, 1321) * Berengar Fredol the Younger (d. 1323) (1312, 1323) * Guillaume Godin (1260–1336) (1312, 1323) *

Pierre Desprès Pierre Desprès (or Des Près, or Des Prés; ''Lat.'' de Pratis) (1288–1361) was a French Cardinal during the period of the Avignon Papacy. Biography Pierre Desprès was born in 1288, at Montpezat-de-Quercy. He was the son of Raymond II Des ...

(1288–1361) (1320, 1336) * Élie de Talleyrand-Périgord (1301–1364) (1331, 1361) *

Guy de Boulogne Guy of Boulogne (1313 – 25 November 1373) was a statesman and cardinal who served the Avignon Papacy for 33 years. He participated in the papal conclaves of 1352, 1362 and 1370, and was the Subdean of the Sacred College of Cardinals. His dipl ...

(1313–1373) (1342, 1364) *

Ange de Grimoard Anglic de Grimoard (ca. 1315/1320 in Grizac, Languedoc – 13 April 1388 in Avignon), also recorded as Angelic, was a French canon regular and a Cardinal. He was the younger brother of Pope Urban V. He was born about 1315 in the Castle of Gri ...

(1315/20-1388) (1366, 1373, deposed by Urban VI in 1378, retained the post in the obedience of Avignon until 1388)

During the Western Schism

The obedience of Rome (1378–1415) * Tommaso da Frignano (1305–1381) (1378) * Francesco Moricotti Prignano (d. 1394) (1378, 1381) * Philippe d'Alençon (1338–1397) (1378, 1394) * Pietro Pileo di Prata (1330–1400) (1378, 1397) * Angelo Acciaioli (1349–1408) (1384, 1405) *

Enrico Minutoli Enrico Minutoli (died 1412) was an Italian Cardinal. He was bishop of Bitonto from 1382 to 1389 and then archbishop of Naples. He was also archpriest of the Liberian Basilica (1396) and Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church (1406). He is buried in ...

(d. 1412) (1389, 1408 until 1409) * Antonio Correr (1369–1445) (1408, 1409 until 1415) The obedience of Avignon (1378–1429) *Ange de Grimoard (until 1388) *

Pietro Corsini Pietro is an Italian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: People * Pietro I Candiano (c. 842–887), briefly the 16th Doge of Venice * Pietro Tribuno (died 912), 17th Doge of Venice, from 887 to his death * Pietro II C ...

(1335–1405) (1370, 1388) * Gui de Malsec (d. 1412) (1375, 1405, deposed 1409, retained the post in the obedience of Pisa) * Jean Flandrin (after 1301–1415) (1390, 1405) *

Julián Lobera y Valtierra Julián is the Spanish equivalent of the name Julian. Notable people with the name include: * Julián, Julián Cuesta, Spanish footballer * Julián Orbón (1925–1991) Cuban composer * Julián Carrón (1950) Spanish Catholic theologian * Julián ...

(d. 1435) (1423, 1423 until 1429) The obedience of Pisa (1409–1415) *Gui de Malsec (until 1412) *

Jean Allarmet de Brogny Jean-Allarmet de Brogny (1342 – 16 February 1426) was a French Cardinal. Biography He was born in the hamlet of Brogny, now part of Annecy-le-Vieux in Savoy. Biographers are not agreed as to his parentage and real name. According to some, ...

(1342–1426) (1385, 1412 until 1415)

After the Council of Constance

Angelo Correr Pope Gregory XII ( la, Gregorius XII; it, Gregorio XII; – 18 October 1417), born Angelo Corraro, Corario," or Correr, was head of the Catholic Church from 30 November 1406 to 4 July 1415. Reigning during the Western Schism, he was oppose ...

(ca.1330–1417) (1415, 1415) *

Jean-Allarmet de Brogny Jean-Allarmet de Brogny (1342 – 16 February 1426) was a French Cardinal. Biography He was born in the hamlet of Brogny, now part of Annecy-le-Vieux in Savoy. Biographers are not agreed as to his parentage and real name. According to some, he ...

(1342–1426) (1385, 1417) * Baldassare Cossa (ca.1360/70–1419) (1419, 1419) *Jean Allarmet de Brogny ''(again)'' (1342–1426) (1385, 1419) * Angelo d'Anna de Sommariva (d. 1428) (1384, 1426) * Giordano Orsini (1360/70–1438) (1405, 1428) *Antonio Correr ''(again)'' (1369–1445) (1408, 1438) * Giovanni Berardi (1380–1449) (1439, 1445) * Amadeo de Savoy (1383–1451) (1449, 1449) *

Francesco Condulmer Francesco Condulmer (1390 – 30 October 1453) was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He was made cardinal on 19 September 1431 by his uncle, Pope Eugenius IV, and accumulated many offices and dignities. He was Camerlengo of the Holy Ro ...

(1390–1453) (1431, 1451) *

Giorgio Fieschi Giorgio Fieschi (ca. 1395 – October 1461) was an Italian cardinal, of the counts of Lavagna. He was elected Bishop of Mariana, in Corsica, on 27 May 1433. On 3 October 1436 he was transferred to the metropolitan see of Genoa, which he occupi ...

(ca.1395–1461) (1439, 1453) *

Isidore of Kiev Isidore of Kiev, also known as Isidore of Thessalonica or Isidore, the Apostate ( el, ; russian: Исидор; uk, Ісидор; 1385 – 27 April 1463), was a prelate of Byzantine Greek origin. From 1437 to 1441 he served as the Metropolitan ...

(1380/90–1463) (1439, 1461) *

Bessarion Bessarion ( el, Βησσαρίων; 2 January 1403 – 18 November 1472) was a Byzantine Greek Renaissance humanist, theologian, Catholic cardinal and one of the famed Greek scholars who contributed to the so-called great revival of letters ...

(1403–1472) (1439, 1463) *

Guillaume d'Estouteville Guillaume d'Estouteville, OSB (c. 1412–1483) was a French aristocrat of royal blood who became a leading bishop and cardinal. He held a number of Church offices simultaneously. He conducted the reexamination of the case of Jeanne d'Arc an ...

(1403–1483) (1439, 1472) *

Rodrigo Borgia Pope Alexander VI ( it, Alessandro VI, va, Alexandre VI, es, Alejandro VI; born Rodrigo de Borja; ca-valencia, Roderic Llançol i de Borja ; es, Rodrigo Lanzol y de Borja, lang ; 1431 – 18 August 1503) was head of the Catholic Churc ...

(1431–1503) (1456, 1483)
''Elected Pope Alexander VI in 1492'') *

Oliviero Carafa Oliviero Carafa (10 March 1430 – 20 January 1511), in Latin Oliverius Carafa, was an Italian cardinal and diplomat of the Renaissance. Like the majority of his era's prelates, he displayed the lavish and conspicuous standard of living that was ...

(1430–1511) (1467, 1492) *

Raffaele Riario Raffaele Sansoni Galeoti Riario (3 May 1461 – 9 July 1521) was an Italian Cardinal of the Renaissance, mainly known as the constructor of the Palazzo della Cancelleria and the person who invited Michelangelo to Rome. He was a patron of the ...

(1461–1521) (1477, 1511) *

Bernardino Lopez de Carvajal Bernardino is a name of Italian, Hispanic, or Portuguese origin, which can refer to: Given name *Bernardino Baldi (1533–1617), Italian mathematician and writer * Bernardino Bertolotti (born 1547), Italian composer and instrumentalist * Bernar ...

(1456–1523) (1493, 1521) *

Francesco Soderini Francesco di Tommaso Soderini (10 June 1453 – 17 May 1524) was a major diplomatic and Church figure of Renaissance Italy, and brother of Piero Soderini. He was an adversary of the Medici family. Biography On 27 Mar 1486, he was ordained a priest ...

(1453–1524) (1503, 1523) *

Niccolò Fieschi Niccolò Fieschi (Genoa, c. 1456 – Rome, 1524) was an Italian Cardinal (Catholicism), Cardinal,From 1503; bishop of Albano 1518, bishop of Sabina 1521, bishop of Porto e Santa Rufina 1523, bishop of Ostia 1524. of the prominent family of t ...

(1456–1524) (1503, 1524) * Alessandro Farnese (1468–1549) (1493, 1524)
''Elected Pope Paul III in 1534'') *

Giovanni Piccolomini Giovanni Piccolomini (1475–1537) was an Italian papal legate and cardinal. He was a nephew of Pope Pius III. He was made Archbishop of Siena in 1503, Bishop of Sitten in 1522, Bishop of Aquila in 1523, Bishop of Albano in 1524, Bishop o ...

(1475–1537) (1517, 1535) *

Giovanni Domenico de Cupis Giovanni Domenico de Cupis (Cupi, Cuppi) (1493–1553) was an Italian Cardinal, created by Pope Leo X in the consistory of 1 July 1517. Biography He was Crown-cardinal of the Kingdom of Scotland. He was a friend of Ignatius Loyola. His mother w ...

(1493–1553) (1517, 1537) *

Gian Pietro Carafa Pope Paul IV, born Gian Pietro Carafa, Theatines, C.R. ( la, Paulus IV; it, Paolo IV; 28 June 1476 – 18 August 1559) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 23 May 1555 to his death in August 1559. While serv ...

(1476–1559) (1536, 1553)
''Elected

Pope Paul IV Pope Paul IV, born Gian Pietro Carafa, C.R. ( la, Paulus IV; it, Paolo IV; 28 June 1476 – 18 August 1559) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 23 May 1555 to his death in August 1559. While serving as pa ...

in 1555'') *

Jean du Bellay Jean du Bellay (1492 – 16 February 1560) was a French diplomat and cardinal, a younger brother of Guillaume du Bellay, and cousin and patron of the poet Joachim du Bellay. He was bishop of Bayonne by 1526, member of the ''Conseil privé'' ( ...

(1492–1560) (1535, 1555) *

François de Tournon François de Tournon (1489 in Tournon-sur-Rhône – 1562 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye) was a French Augustinian monk, an archbishop, diplomat, courtier, and cardinal. From 1536 he was also a military supply officer of French forces operating i ...

(1489–1562) (1530, 1560) * Rodolfo Pio de Carpi (1500–1564) (1536, 1562) *

Francesco Pisani Francesco Pisani (1494 – 28 June 1570) was an Italian Cardinal, born in Venice, the son of Alvise Pisani the noted banker, who was Procurator of S. Mark's, a member of the Council of Ten, and a Councilor of the Doge of Venice; and Cecilia Giust ...

(1494–1570) (1517, 1564) * Giovanni Girolamo Morone (1509–1580) (1542, 1570) * Alessandro Farnese, juniore (1520–1589) (1534, 1580) *

Giovanni Antonio Serbelloni Giovanni Antonio Serbelloni (also known as Gian Antonio, Gianantonio; 1519–1591) was an Italian Cardinal. Life Giovanni Antonio Serbelloni was born in Milan in 1519 to a prominent family. He was brother of Gabrio (condottiero and general) and G ...

(1519–1591) (1560, 1589) * Alfonso Gesualdo (1540–1603) (1561, 1591) *

Tolomeo Gallio Tolomeo Gallio (also spelled Gallo and Galli; 25 September 1527 – 3 or 4 February 1607) was an Italian Cardinal (Catholicism), Cardinal. Biography In the time of Pope Gregory XIII, he acted as papal secretary of state (in office 1572 to 15 ...

(1526–1607) (1565, 1603) * Domenico Pinelli (1541–1611) (1585, 1607) * Francois de Joyeuse (1562–1615) (1583, 1611) *

Antonio Maria Galli Antonio is a masculine given name of Etruscan origin deriving from the root name Antonius. It is a common name among Romance language-speaking populations as well as the Balkans and Lusophone Africa. It has been among the top 400 most popular ma ...

(1553–1620) (1586, 1615) *

Antonio Maria Sauli Antonio Maria Sauli (sometimes Antonio Sauli) (1541–1623) was the Archbishop of Genoa and later a Roman Catholic Cardinal, serving as the dean of the College of Cardinals for the last three years of his life. Sauli was born in Genoa. He was a ...

(1541–1623) (1587, 1620) *

Francesco Maria del Monte Francesco Maria del Monte, full name Francesco Maria Bourbon del Monte Santa Maria, (5 July 1549 – 27 August 1627) was an Italian Cardinal, diplomat, and connoisseur of the arts. His fame today rests on his early patronage of the important Bar ...

(1549–1626) (1588, 1623) *

Ottavio Bandini Ottavio Bandini (1558–1629) was a Roman Catholic cardinal. Biography On 25 June 1595 he was consecrated bishop by Alessandro Ottaviano de' Medici, Archbishop of Florence, with Ludovico de Torres, Archbishop of Monreale, and Gian Francesco ...

(1558–1629) (1596, 1626) *

Giovanni Battista Deti Giovanni Battista Deti (1580–1630) was a Roman Catholic cardinal. Biography On 24 Jun 1623, he was consecrated bishop by Ottavio Bandini, Cardinal-Bishop of Palestrina, with Alfonso Gonzaga, Titular Archbishop A titular bishop in variou ...

(1576–1630) (1599, 1629) *

Domenico Ginnasi 200px, Cardinal Domenico Ginnasi Domenico Ginnasi (19 June 1550 in Castel Bolognese – 12 March 1639, in Rome) was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic church created by Pope Clement VIII. Biography Ginnasi was born the third of seven children to ...

(1550–1639) (1604, 1630) * Carlo Emmanuele Pio de Savoia, seniore (1585–1641) (1604, 1639) *

Marcello Lante della Rovere Marcello Lante della Rovere (1561 – 19 April 1652) was an Italian people Catholic Cardinal appointed Dean and Camerlengo of the College of Cardinals. __TOC__ Family and early life Lante was born 1561, the son of Ludovico Lante of the ''Dukes ...

(1561–1652) (1606, 1641) *

Giulio Roma Giulio Roma (16 September 1584 – 16 September 1652) was an Italian Catholic Cardinal and Bishop of Recanati and Loreto. Roma was born 16 September 1584 in Milan, one of 16 children born to noble parents. He was educated at the University o ...

(1584–1652) (1621, 1652) ''served less than 5 months'' * Carlo de' Medici (1595–1666) (1615, 1652) * Francesco Barberini, seniore (1597–1679) (1623, 1666) * Cesare Facchinetti (1608–1683) (1643, 1680) *

Niccolò Albergati-Ludovisi Cardinal Niccolò Albergati-Ludovisi. Niccolò Albergati-Ludovisi (15 September 16089 August 1687) was an Italian Catholic Cardinal and Archbishop of Bologna. Biography He was a cousin of Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi. On 16 September 1640, he wa ...

(1608–1687) (1645, 1683) *

Alderano Cybo Alderano Cybo (sometimes Alderano Cibo or Alderano Cybo-Malaspina) (16 July 1613 – 22 July 1700) was an Italian Catholic Cardinal. He served as the Secretary of State of Pope Innocent XI. Early life Cybo was born 16 July 1613 in Genoa, the f ...

(1613–1700) (1645, 1687) * Emmanuel–Theodose de la Tour d'Auvergne de Bouillon (1643–1715) (1669, 1700) *

Nicola Acciaiouli Nicola may refer to: People * Nicola (name), including a list of people with the given name or, less commonly, the surname **Nicola (artist) or Nicoleta Alexandru, singer who represented Romania at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest * Nicola people, ...

(1630–1719) (1669, 1715) * Fulvio Astalli (1655–1721) (1686, 1719) *

Sebastiano Antonio Tanara Sebastiano Antonio Tanara (10 April 1650 – 5 May 1724) was an Italian cardinal. He studied law at the university of Bologna. He was internuncio in Flanders (1675-1687) and as, such, he was sent with secret mission to king James II of England, wh ...

(1650–1724) (1695, 1721) * Francesco del Giudice (1647–1725) (1690, 1724) *

Fabrizio Paolucci Fabrizio Paolucci (2 April 1651 – 12 June 1726) was an Italian cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church, appointed by Pope Innocent XII. Biography Born at Forlì, he went to Rome at the age of eight, in 1659, to be educated by his grand-uncle ...

(1651–1726) (1697, 1725) *

Francesco Pignatelli Francesco Pignatelli (6 February 1652 – 15 December 1734) was an Italian cardinal. Biography Born at Senise, in the province of Potenza, he entered the order of Theatines in 1665 (at the age of 13). On 27 September 1684, after being nominated ...

1635 (1652–1734) (1703, 1726) * Francesco Barberini (1662–1738) (1690, 1734) *

Pietro Ottoboni Pope Alexander VIII ( it, Alessandro VIII; 22 April 1610 – 1 February 1691), born Pietro Vito Ottoboni, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 6 October 1689 to his death in February 1691. He is to date the las ...

(1667–1740) (1689, 1738) *

Tommaso Ruffo Tommaso Ruffo (1663-1753) was an Italian archbishop of Ferrara and Cardinal. Life He was born in Naples, son of Carlo Ruffo, 3rd Duke of Bagnara. He was educated at La Sapienza University, becoming a doctor of canon and civil law. He was a pa ...

(1663–1753) (1706, 1740) *

Pierluigi Carafa Pierluigi Carafa, Junior (4 July 1677 – 15 December 1755) (sometimes spelled as ''Caraffa'') was an Italian cardinal from the famous Neapolitan family of Italian nobles, clergy, and men of arts. He served the papacy as Camerlengo of the Sacre ...

(1677–1755) (1728, 1753) *

Rainiero d'Elci Rainiero d'Elci (7 March 1670 – 22 June 1761) was an Italian Cardinal. Biography He was born in Florence and was ordained in 1699. He entered papal service in the following year and held several offices both in Roman Curia and in the papal terr ...

(1670–1761) (1737, 1755) *

Giuseppe Spinelli Giuseppe Spinelli (1 February 1694 – 12 April 1763) was an Italian cardinal. He was prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Biography A native of Naples, he was the son of Giambattista Spinelli, marquis of Fuscaldo, prin ...

(1694–1763) (1735, 1761) *

Carlo Alberto Guidoboni Cavalchini Carlo Alberto Guidoboni CavalchiniOr Guidobono. (26 July 1683 – 7 March 1774) was an Italian Cardinal. Considered ''papabile'' in the Papal conclave, 1758, he was vetoed by Louis XV of France under the ''jus exclusivae''. A lawyer by education ...

(1683–1774) (1743, 1763) *

Gian Francesco Albani Gian Francesco Albani (26 February 1720 – 15 September 1803) was a Roman Catholic Cardinal. He was a member of the Albani family. Albani was born in Rome, the son of Carlo Albani, Duke of Soriano; his grand-uncle was Pope Clement XI (Gia ...

(1720–1803) (1747, 1774)Salvador Miranda indicates that

Fabrizio Serbelloni Fabrizio Serbelloni (Sorbelloni) (1695–1775) was an Italian diplomat and Cardinal. Life Fabrizio Serbelloni was born on 4 November 1695 in Milan to a noble and prominent family. He studied initially in Rome at the Collegio Clementino, and on 1 ...

was dean of the Sacred College 1774–177

but according to G. Moroni, ''Dizionario di erudizione storico-ecclesiastica da S. Pietro sino ai nostri giorn vol. LXIV'', p. 173, Serbelloni was named bishop of Ostia e Velletri on 18 April 1774 only for that reason, that Albani, who became dean at the death of Cavalchini, refused to resign the bishopric of Porto e Santa Rufina. However, Cardinal Albani eventually opted for the see of Ostia e Velletri after the death of Serbelloni in the following year ''longest deanship'' * Henry Benedict Stuart, Henry Benedict Maria Clement Stuart (1725–1807) (1747, 1803) ''longest total cardinalate'' *

Leonardo Antonelli Leonardo Antonelli (6 November 1730 – 23 January 1811) was an Italian Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. Biography A native of Senigallia, Antonelli was the nephew of Cardinal Nicolò Maria Antonelli. During the early part of his long di ...

(1730–1811) (1775, 1807) *

Alessandro Mattei Alessandro Mattei (20 February 1744, Rome – 20 April 1820) was an Italian Cardinal, and a significant figure in papal diplomacy of the Napoleonic period. He was from the Roman aristocratic House of Mattei. He became Archbishop of Ferrara in 1 ...

(1744–1820) (1779, 1814) ''vacancy caused by his exile by Napoleon'' *

Giulio Maria della Somaglia Giulio Maria della Somaglia (29 July 1744 – 2 April 1830) was an Italian cardinal. He was, in his later life — a staunch '' zelante'' cardinal who, as Secretary of State under Pope Leo XII, helped enforce an authoritarian regime in t ...

(1744–1830) (1795, 1820) * Bartolomeo Pacca (1756–1844) (1801, 1830) *

Lodovico Micara Ludovico MicaraLodovico Micara, Ludovico da Frascati. (12 October 1775 – 24 May 1847) was an Italian Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, Capuchin and Cardinal (Catholicism), Cardinal. He was born at Frascati, in the Papal States. Ordained in 179 ...

(1775–1847) (1824, 1844) *

Vincenzo Macchi Vincenzo Macchi (30 August 1770 – 30 September 1860) was an Italian Cardinal. Career Born on 30 August 1770 in Capodimonte in the Papal States, he studied in Montefiascone and in Rome and was ordained a priest in 1794. In 1801 he gai ...

(1770–1860) (1826, 1847) *

Mario Mattei Mario Mattei (6 September 1792, Pergola, Marche – 7 October 1870) was an Italian Cardinal, of the Roman noble House of Mattei. He became Dean of the College of Cardinals in 1860. Personal life Mario Mattei was born on 6 September 1792 in Pe ...

(1792–1870) (1832, 1860) *

Costantino Patrizi Naro Costantino Patrizi Naro JUD (4 September 1798 – 17 December 1876) was a long-serving Italian Cardinal who became Dean of the College of Cardinals. Cardinal Benedetto Naro was his great-uncle. Biography Born in Siena, Naro was educated in the ...

(1798–1876) (1834, 1870) *

Luigi Amat di San Filippo e Sorso Luigi Amat di San Filippo e Sorso (20 June 1796 – 30 March 1878) was the dean of the College of Cardinals during the last part of the record long reign of Pope Pius IX. Biography The issue of an ancient and noble Catalan Sardinian family,As f ...

(1796–1878) (1837, 1877) * Camillo di Pietro (1806–1884) (1853, 1878) *

Carlo Sacconi Carlo Sacconi J.U.D. (9 May 1808 – 25 February 1889) was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and Dean of the College of Cardinals. Carlo Sacconi was born in Montalto. He was educated at the seminary of Fermo and later at La Sapienza ...

(1808–1889) (1861, 1884) *

Raffaele Monaco La Valletta Raffaele Monaco La Valletta S.T.D. J.U.D. (23 February 1827 – 14 July 1896) was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Secretary of the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office. Education Raffaele Monaco La Vallet ...

(1827–1896) (1868, 1889) *

Luigi Oreglia di Santo Stefano Luigi Oreglia di Santo Stefano (9 July 1828, Bene Vagienna, Italy – 7 December 1913, Rome, Italy) was a cardinal of the Catholic Church in the late nineteenth century. He was Bishop of Ostia e Velletri and Dean of the Sacred College of Cardi ...

(1828–1913) (1873, 1896) *

Serafino Vannutelli Serafino Vannutelli (26 November 1834 – 19 August 1915) was an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church, a cardinal and official of the Roman Curia where he held several of the highest administrative posts. Made a cardinal in 1887, he was named ...

(1834–1915) (1887, 1913) *

Vincenzo Vannutelli Vincenzo Vannutelli (5 December 1836 – 9 July 1930) was an Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He spent his career in the foreign service of the Holy See and was made a cardinal in 1890. At his death he was the oldest member o ...

(1836–1930) (1889, 1915) * Gennaro Granito Pignatelli di Belmonte (1851–1948) (1911, 1930) * Francesco Marchetti-Selvaggiani (1871–1951) (1930, 1948) *

Eugène Tisserant Eugène-Gabriel-Gervais-Laurent Tisserant (; 24 March 1884 – 21 February 1972) was a French prelate and cardinal of the Catholic Church. Elevated to the cardinalate in 1936, Tisserant was a prominent and long-time member of the Roman Curia. ...

(1884–1972) (1936, 1951) *

Amleto Giovanni Cicognani Amleto Giovanni Cicognani (24 February 1883 – 17 December 1973) was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Vatican Secretary of State from 1961 to 1969, and Dean of the College of Cardinals from 1972 until his death. C ...

(1883–1973) (1958, 1972) * Luigi Traglia (1895–1977) (1960, 1974) *

Carlo Confalonieri Carlo Confalonieri (25 July 1893 – 1 August 1986) was an Italian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as prefect of the Congregation for Bishops from 1967 to 1973, and dean of the College of Cardinals from 1977 until his death. Con ...

(1893–1986) (1958, 1977) *

Agnelo Rossi Agnelo Rossi (4 May 1913 – 21 May 1995) was a Brazilian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals. Biography Rossi was born on 4 May 1913 in Joaquim Egidio, Brazil, in the Diocese of Campinas. In 1933 h ...

(1913–1995) (1965, 1986, retired 1993) *

Bernardin Gantin Bernardin Gantin (8 May 1922 – 13 May 2008) was a Beninese prelate of the Catholic Church who held senior positions in the Roman Curia for twenty years and the highest position in the College of Cardinals for nine years. His prominence in the ...

(1922–2008) (1977, 1993, retired 2002) *

Joseph Ratzinger Pope Benedict XVI ( la, Benedictus XVI; it, Benedetto XVI; german: link=no, Benedikt XVI.; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, , on 16 April 1927) is a retired prelate of the Catholic church who served as the head of the Church and the soverei ...

(born 1927) (1977, 2002) ''Elected

Pope Benedict XVI Pope Benedict XVI ( la, Benedictus XVI; it, Benedetto XVI; german: link=no, Benedikt XVI.; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, , on 16 April 1927) is a retired prelate of the Catholic church who served as the head of the Church and the soverei ...

in 2005'' * Angelo Sodano (1927–2022) (1991, 2005, retired 2019) *

Giovanni Battista Re Giovanni Battista Re (born 30 January 1934) is an Italian cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church whose service has been primarily in the Roman Curia. He was elevated to the rank of cardinal in 2001. He was prefect of the Congregation for Bishops ...

(born 1934) (2001, 2020)

References

{{Holy See Religious leadership roles *1