The 'princes' of Church electing a new pope

Cardinals from all over the world are poised to elect a successor to Pope Francis at the conclave that begins Wednesday.

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But what exactly is a cardinal?

HIGH DIGNITARY

A cardinal (from the Latin “cardinalis” or principal) is a high dignitary of the Catholic Church chosen by the pope to assist him in his government.

The main dicasteries -- the Holy See equivalent of government ministries -- are, for the most part, headed by cardinals.

Their exact title is cardinal of the Holy Roman Church.

Gathered in the College of Cardinals, presided over by a dean -- currently the 91-year-old Italian Giovanni Battista Re -- they form the top echelon of the Catholic Church.

Cardinal being a title and not a function, many of them are bishops of dioceses around the world, while others who hold positions in the Curia, the Vatican’s government, live in Rome.

POPE-MAKERS