The Pope, the Cardinal, the Bishop, and Beyond

The highest authority in the Roman Catholic Church, known as the Bishop of the City of Rome, is the Pope. For Catholics, he is seen as the direct successor to Apostle St. Peter, who, according to tradition, was chosen by Jesus Christ to lead His Church. The Pope serves as the supreme leader of the Catholic Church, guiding over a billion Catholics globally. He is also recognized as a key figure on the world stage. His statements often go beyond religious matters, influencing international politics, social issues, and efforts for peace. Traditionally, he has stood up for human dignity, the poor, and those facing oppression. While the Pope holds no “earthly power” like a political leader, his impact is significant, extending not only to Catholics but to people across the globe.

The Pope, the Vatican, and the Conclave

The Pope resides in Vatican City, the smallest sovereign nation on Earth, home to just a few hundred individuals. Most of the residents are clerics and Church officials along with their families, plus the Swiss Guard, responsible for security. Vatican City functions as an autonomous state complete with its own budget, post office, police, and even a train line.

Technically, any baptized Catholic could be elected as pope – even someone who is not a priest or bishop. However, in practice, only cardinals participate in the election. If a layperson were to be chosen, they would need to accept their appointment immediately and undergo ordination.

When a Pope passes away (or resigns, as Benedict XVI. did in 2013), a state known as “sede vacante,” or “the empty See of St. Peter,” occurs. During this period, the leadership of the Catholic Church is managed by the College of Cardinals. Within 15 to 20 days following the Pope’s death, the College of Cardinals assembles in conclave to select a new head for the Catholic Church. There are just under three hundred cardinals from across the globe, but only those who are under 80 years old can cast votes.

How to Elect a New Pope

The Pope is elected in the Sistine Chapel, a historic room in the Apostolic Palace that features beautiful frescoes created by Michelangelo. Each cardinal discreetly writes down their chosen candidate on a ballot and places it into an urn. There is no strict time limit for the election. The longest papal election in history lasted a staggering 33 months, but today the regulations are stricter to prevent such lengthy delays. Since the early 20th century, elections have generally taken no longer than four days. For instance, Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday 2025, was elected on March 13, 2013, after just two days and five rounds of voting.
To be elected Pope, a candidate must receive a two-thirds majority of the votes. Voting takes place multiple times a day while the entire world watches the results closely through the smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Black Smoke signifies that no decision has been made, while White Smoke announces the election of a new Pope. Once selected, the new Pope will choose his papal name, often inspired by saints he admires or wishes to honor. This name can reveal much about the approach he will take as leader. The Pope then makes his first public introduction from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, announcing “Habemus papam!” – “We have a Pope!”
An interesting fact is that one of the youngest popes in history was likely Benedict IX. (circa 1012-1055), who was reportedly elected pope at just twenty years old. Alongside John XII. (circa 937-964), he is also labeled as one of the worst popes in history. He resigned several times, earned the label “the demon from hell disguised as a priest,” and even “auctioned” his papal crown.

John Paul II, Papal Records and Visits to the Czech Republic

What was the shortest papal reign? That title goes to Pope Stephen II. (March 23-26, 752), who died from a stroke just three days before officially starting his role. He was Pope for a mere thirteen days. Other popes with brief tenures include Urban VII. (who served from September 15 to 27, 1590) for sixteen days, Boniface VI. (in April 896) for seventeen days, and Celestine IV. in 1241 for the same amount of time.
Among all popes, the one with the longest service as the head of the Catholic Church was Pope Hadrian I., who led near the end of the 8th century. The exact duration of his pontificate is unclear, but historians suggest he was in charge for 34 to 37 years.
For more than 31 years, Pope Pius IX. served (from June 1846 to February 1878). The third longest serve belonged to the Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyła, known as Pope John Paul II., who was elected as the head of the Church in October 1978 at the age of just fifty-eight. He passed away in April 2005 and made history as the first Slavic pope and the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. During his leadership, he visited the Czech Republic three times and canonized several key figures from Czech history, such as St. Agnes of Bohemia, St. Zdislava of Lemberk, and St. John Sarkander. He also honored several churches in the Czech Republic with the prestigious title of basilica minor.

The Archbishop, Bishop of the “Higher Order”

The terms diocese and archdiocese refer to areas of the Church that are each led by a diocesan bishop with the title of archbishop. An archbishop presides over a particularly significant diocese known as an archdiocese. In the Czech Republic, there are two archdioceses—one in Prague and the other in Olomouc—meaning there are also two archbishops. In addition to guiding his own area, an archbishop often holds a ceremonial rank over other bishops in the region.
In Prague, the Archbishop’s official residence has been the Archbishop’s Palace located at Hradčany Square since 1561, and the primary church is the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Wenceslas, and Vojtech at Prague Castle. The oldest diocese in the Czech Republic was founded in 973, became an archdiocese in 1344, and the first Archbishop of Prague was Arnost of Pardubice.
The Olomouc diocese was established in 1063. The Archbishopric of Olomouc’s offices are housed in the Archbishop’s Palace, which has been open to the public since 2011. Visitors can also explore the Archdiocesan Museum in Olomouc and Kroměříž, along with the main church of the Archbishopric of Olomouc, St. Wenceslas Cathedral.

A Bishop, Shepherd of His Diocese

A Bishop oversees a specific area called a diocese. The Czech Republic comprises two Roman Catholic ecclesiastical provinces: the Czech province headed by the Archbishop of Prague, and the dioceses of České Budějovice, Hradec Králové, Litoměřice, and Plzeň. Meanwhile, the Moravian ecclesiastical province, overseen by the Archdiocese of Olomouc, includes the Dioceses of Brno and Ostrava-Opava.
The bishop’s responsibility includes caring for the faithful, managing the parishes and diocese entrusted to him, and ordaining new priests. The word Bishop comes from the Greek “episkopos,” which means to look down upon or oversee. He is regarded as the successor of the apostles, and his ordination must include at least three other bishops to maintain the tradition of apostolic succession.
Typically, bishops and other church leaders retire from their positions once they reach the age of 75. The appointment of new bishops follows Church regulations, with diocesan bishops selecting candidates and the final decision resting with the Pope from a list of three priests. Ideal candidates are usually men in their sixties with a doctorate in theology or canon law.

Primate of Bohemia

When Pope Francis appointed Jan Graubner as the 37th Archbishop of Prague in 2022, he also became the 25th Czech Primate. This honorary title is given to the Archbishop of Prague, who leads the Czech ecclesiastical province. The title of Czech Primate has been held by the Archbishops of Prague since 1627, when it was established through the Restoration of the Provincial Establishment and was historically linked to the privilege of crowning the King of Bohemia. The leader of the Catholic Church in the Czech Republic is the President of the Czech Bishops’ Conference, and the Archbishops of Prague and Olomouc are considered equals.

Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops

A Cardinal is a title granted by the Pope. Cardinals have the unique privilege of electing the new pope during a conclave. Many cardinals are also archbishops of major cities, but it is possible for a priest who has never held the role of bishop to also become a cardinal. In recent decades, the youngest cardinals appointed have often been men in their thirties, which is quite rare within the Church.
The first archbishop of Prague to become a cardinal was Jan Očko from Vlašim, who succeeded Arnost of Pardubice. Cardinals partake in governing the Catholic Church, serve in the Pope’s advisory council, and must attend the conclave that elects the new Pope if they are under 80 years old (the age limit set by Pope Paul VI). Outside of this obligation, cardinal is an honorary title that does not come with any specific office and is not limited by age or duration. During the appointment ceremony, each cardinal receives a biretta (a red four-cornered hat), a decree confirming their appointment, and a cardinal’s ring featuring the images of the Apostles Peter and Paul as well as an eight-pointed star, representing the Virgin Mary. Cardinals are addressed as Your Eminence.
Almost all of the archbishops of Prague have held the title of cardinal over the last 150 years, beginning with Bedřich Josef Prince Schwarzenberg (1849-1885), followed by Franz de Paula Count Schönborn (1885-1899) and Lev Skrbensky, free lord from Hříště (1899-1916). There were then two more archbishops who did not hold the title of cardinal, Paul Count Huyn (1916-1919) and František Kordač (1919-1931), but the last five archbishops all held that title: Karel Kašpar (1931-1941), Josef Beran (1946-1969), František Tomášek (1977-1991), Miloslav Vlk (1991-2010), and Dominik Duka (2010-2022). Since 2022, Jan Graubner has led the Archbishopric of Prague, and the Archbishop of Olomouc since 2024 is Josef Nuzík.

Saint Vojtěch and Other Czech Saints

Through history, there have been 63 individuals with the rank of bishop and archbishop leading the Prague diocese; comprising 27 bishops and 36 archbishops. Although the first bishop of Prague in 975, a Saxon priest named Dětmar, is often overlooked, his successor, Bishop St. Vojtěch (circa 957-997) from the Slavník family, is well-regarded. His election, attended by Boleslaus II, took place on February 19, 982. As a strong advocate of Christianity, he not only advanced domestic Latin literature but is also recognized as the author of early Czech and Polish sacred songs, including the popular Lord, have mercy on us. Tragically, he was murdered while on a missionary journey to the pagan territories of Prussia.
The monument of St. Wenceslas on Wenceslas Square in Prague, crafted by Josef Václav Myslbek, allows you to glimpse the faces of five Czech saints. After over thirty years of work, the statue underwent several revisions. In one of the later designs, the equestrian statue of St. Wenceslas was enhanced with a quartet of saints. From the front, St. Ludmila is on the left, St. Procopius (whose face represents the sculptor Myslbek) is on the right, St. Agnes of Bohemia is behind left, and St. Vojtěch, whose face is modeled after Archbishop Franz Schönborn, stands to the right.

Nuncio, Monsignor, Abbot, Abbess, Priest, and Deacon

A Nuncio is a papal representative, acting as the Pope’s arm abroad from Vatican City. The term comes from the Latin “nuntius,” which means messenger, referring to the Pope’s ambassador in a specific country. This role is usually filled by bishops who do not govern a diocese; they are often given the title of archbishop for their missions. The nuncio plays a significant role in selecting candidates for bishop positions and, like archbishops and bishops, typically retires at the age of 75. Since 1929, the nuncio’s office in the Czech Republic has been located in the Apostolic Nunciature at Dietrichstein Palace on Voršilská Street in Prague’s New Town. Notably, Pope St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI both stayed overnight in the Prague Nunciature. The most recent nuncios in the Czech Republic include Giovanni Coppa (1990-2001), Erwin Josef Ender (2001-2003), Diego Causero (2004-2011), Giuseppe Leanza (2011-2018), and Charles Daniel Balvo (2018-2022), succeeded by Jude Thaddeus Okolo starting in 2022.
In the Church, you might also hear the term Monsignor, which is an honorary title awarded to distinguished priests by the Pope. An Abbot is the head of a male monastery, while Abbesses lead female institutions. A Priest is a cleric who can celebrate Mass, perform baptisms, marry couples, and conduct various other ceremonies. Assisting in worship and community service is the Deacon, who may have a spouse.

How to Recognize Church Dignitaries by Their Clothes?

Clerical clothing has undergone a long evolution. To start with the basics, clergy wear a long garment reaching their ankles called a clergy robe or gown, along with a square hat featuring three protruding corners known as a biretta. In the Catholic Church, the color of these vestments signifies the person’s position within the priestly hierarchy: white for the Pope, red for cardinals, purple or magenta for bishops, and black for priests.
The Pope and cardinals typically wear a small fitted cap (pileus) on their heads, and their chasuble colors vary as well. White or gold chasubles are worn during celebrations and special occasions; green during ordinary times, red for martyrs’ days and the Feast of the Holy Spirit; purple during Lent and Advent; and black chasubles signify funerals and the commemoration of all the faithful departed.

Insignia – Badges of Rank

Insignia serve as badges showcasing secular or ecclesiastical authority. They function similarly to crowns for monarchs and scepters for bishops, like the mitre and the bishop’s crozier, which is often curved or spiraled at the top. Other episcopal insignia may include embroidered sandals, silk gloves, or a cross worn on a chain around the neck.
The papal version of the mitre is called the tiara, which is a tall conical hat decorated with three crowns on top, symbolizing the Pope’s threefold powers: teaching, pastoral, and princely, along with two embroidered bands. The pallium—a narrow belt made of white wool worn over the shoulders—signifies pastoral responsibility and is another of the traditional symbols of the papal office.
Nonetheless, many clothing items are optional and can be used by church leaders based on personal choice.

Did You Know…?

• In Beňov, near Přerov, there is a small museum dedicated to the famed local native, former Archbishop of Olomouc Antonín Cyril Stojan (1851-1923), who made significant contributions to establishing pilgrimage sites and exorcism houses at Svatý Hostýn and Velehrad.
• The Kroměříž castle used to be the favored summer residence for the Olomouc archbishops.