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 appo ...

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 ''Primus inter pares'' is a Latin phrase meaning first among equals. It is typically used as an honorary title for someone who is formally equal to other members of their group but is accorded unofficial respect, traditionally owing to their se ...

'' (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. Co ...

, 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 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 ...

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, 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 Angelo Raffaele Sodano, GCC (23 November 1927 – 27 May 2022) was an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church and from 1991 on a cardinal. He was the Dean of the College of Cardinals from 2005 to 2019 and Cardinal Secretary of State from 1991 ...

'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 The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Ro ...

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 ...

, 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 The Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Ostia is an ecclesiastical territory located within the Metropolitan City of Rome in Italy. It is one of the seven suburbicarian dioceses. The incumbent Bishop is cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Since ...

, together with that of any other church to which he already has a title," such as his

suburbicarian diocese The seven suburbicarian dioceses are Roman Catholic dioceses located in the vicinity of Rome, whose ( titular) bishops are the (now six) ordinary members of the highest-ranking order of cardinals, the cardinal bishops (to which the cardinal-patriar ...

. This has been the case since 1914, by decree of

Pope Pius X Pope Pius X ( it, Pio X; born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto; 2 June 1835 – 20 August 1914) was head of the Catholic Church from 4 August 1903 to his death in August 1914. Pius X is known for vigorously opposing modernist interpretations of ...

—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,

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 sovereig ...

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 bo ...

, which ended after the

Council of Constance The Council of Constance was a 15th-century ecumenical council recognized by the Catholic Church, held from 1414 to 1418 in the Bishopric of Constance in present-day Germany. The council ended the Western Schism by deposing or accepting the res ...

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

(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 of the Roman Catholic Church. The ...

(1120/25–1200) (1165, 1181) * Ottaviano di Paoli (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 repeat ...

(d. 1230) (1206/07, 1227) * Jean Halgrin (1180–1237) (1227, 1230) *

Jacques de Vitry Jacques de Vitry (''Jacobus de Vitriaco'', c. 1160/70 – 1 May 1240) was a French canon regular who was a noted theologian and chronicler of his era. He was elected bishop of Acre in 1214 and made cardinal in 1229. His ''Historia Orientali ...

(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), h ...

in 1254'' * Odo of Châteauroux (1190–1273) (1244, 1254) * John of Toledo (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 Latino Malabranca Orsini (b. at Rome, year unknown – d. 10 August 1294, Perugia) was a Roman noble, an Italian cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, and nephew of Pope Nicholas III. Early life Latino was son of Roman senator Angelo Malabranca an ...

(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 Bol ...

(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 M ...

(d. 1309) (1285, 1302) * Leonardo Patrasso (1230–1311) (1300, 1309) * Giovanni Minio de Murovalle (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 Berengar Fredol the Younger (died 1323), nephew of Berengar Fredol the Elder, was Bishop of Béziers in 1309, Cardinal-Priest of SS. Nereo e Achilleo in 1312 and Cardinal-Bishop of Porto in 1317. He succeeded his uncle in the post of the dean of ...

(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 De ...

(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 diplom ...

(1313–1373) (1342, 1364) * Ange de Grimoard (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 Francesco Moricotti Prignani (Prignano) (died 1394) was an Italian bishop and Cardinal. A cardinal-nephew, he was created Cardinal in 1378 by his uncle Pope Urban VI. He was Archbishop of Pisa_from_1362._He_was_named_Bishop_of_Palestrina.html" ;" ...

(d. 1394) (1378, 1381) * Philippe d'Alençon (1338–1397) (1378, 1394) * Pietro Pileo di Prata (1330–1400) (1378, 1397) *

Angelo Acciaioli Angelo Acciaioli may refer to: * Angelo Acciaioli (bishop) (1298–1357), bishop * Angelo Acciaioli (cardinal) (1349–1408), cardinal and archbishop of Patras * Angelo Acciaioli di Cassano (fl. 1467), Italian diplomat See also * Acciaioli The Acc ...

(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 ...

(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 (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, he ...

(1342–1426) (1385, 1412 until 1415)

After the Council of Constance

* Angelo Correr (ca.1330–1417) (1415, 1415) * Jean-Allarmet de Brogny (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 Angelo is an Italian masculine given name and surname meaning "angel", or "messenger". People People with the given name * Angelo Accattino (born 1966), Italian prelate of the Catholic Church * Angelo Acciaioli (bishop) (1298–1357), Italian ...

(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 (1390–1453) (1431, 1451) * Giorgio Fieschi (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 letter ...

(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 and ...

(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 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 ...

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 th ...

(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 *Bernardi ...

(1456–1523) (1493, 1521) * Francesco Soderini (1453–1524) (1503, 1523) * Niccolò Fieschi (1456–1524) (1503, 1524) * Alessandro Farnese (1468–1549) (1493, 1524)
''Elected

Pope 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 ...

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 of Pale ...

(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 mothe ...

(1493–1553) (1517, 1537) * Gian Pietro Carafa (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 pap ...

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'' (p ...

(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 in ...

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

(1519–1591) (1560, 1589) *

Alfonso Gesualdo Alfonso Gesualdo di Conza (20 October 1540 – 14 February 1603) was an Italian Cardinal starting in 1561. He was from Calitri, not far from Naples. His attendance at the papal conclave of 1565-1566 at the age of only 25 makes him one of the you ...

(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. Biography In the time of Pope Gregory XIII, he acted as papal secretary of state (in office 1572 to 1585), having a key role i ...

(1526–1607) (1565, 1603) * Domenico Pinelli (1541–1611) (1585, 1607) * Francois de Joyeuse (1562–1615) (1583, 1611) * Antonio Maria Galli (1553–1620) (1586, 1615) * Antonio Maria Sauli (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 Ba ...

(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 (1576–1630) (1599, 1629) * Domenico Ginnasi (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 ''Duk ...

(1561–1652) (1606, 1641) * Giulio Roma (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 (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 fi ...

(1613–1700) (1645, 1687) * Emmanuel–Theodose de la Tour d'Auvergne de Bouillon (1643–1715) (1669, 1700) * Nicola Acciaiouli (1630–1719) (1669, 1715) * Fulvio Astalli (1655–1721) (1686, 1719) * Sebastiano Antonio Tanara (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-unc ...

(1651–1726) (1697, 1725) * Francesco Pignatelli 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 (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 Sac ...

(1677–1755) (1728, 1753) * Rainiero d'Elci (1670–1761) (1737, 1755) * Giuseppe Spinelli (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 educati ...

(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 (Gianfr ...

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

(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 th ...

(1744–1830) (1795, 1820) *

Bartolomeo Pacca Bartolomeo Pacca (27 December 1756, Benevento – 19 April 1844) was an Italian cardinal, scholar, and statesman as Cardinal Secretary of State. Pacca served as apostolic nuncio to Cologne, and later to Lisbon. Biography Bartolomeo Pacca was ...

(1756–1844) (1801, 1830) * Lodovico Micara (1775–1847) (1824, 1844) * Vincenzo Macchi (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 C ...

(1798–1876) (1834, 1870) * Luigi Amat di San Filippo e Sorso (1796–1878) (1837, 1877) * Camillo di Pietro (1806–1884) (1853, 1878) * Carlo Sacconi (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 Valletta ...

(1827–1896) (1868, 1889) * Luigi Oreglia di Santo Stefano (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 ...

(1836–1930) (1889, 1915) * Gennaro Granito Pignatelli di Belmonte (1851–1948) (1911, 1930) *

Francesco Marchetti-Selvaggiani Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani (1 October 1871 – 13 January 1951) was an Italian cardinal of the Catholic Church who served as Secretary of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, Vicar General of Rome, Secretary of the Holy O ...

(1871–1951) (1930, 1948) * Eugène Tisserant (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 Luigi Traglia (3 April 1895 – 22 November 1977) was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Vicar General of Rome from 1965 to 1968, and Dean of the College of Cardinals from 1974 until his death. Traglia was elevated to ...

(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. Co ...

(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 sovereign ...

(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 sovereign ...

in 2005'' *

(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