Dean of the College of Cardinals

The Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals (Latin: Decanus Sacri Collegii) is the dean (president) of the College of Cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church. The position was established in the early 12th century.

The Dean presides over the College of Cardinals, serving as primus inter pares in the college. He always holds the rank of Cardinal Bishop. The Dean of the College of Cardinals is assisted by a Sub-Dean; in those roles they act as the president and vice-president of the college respectively. Both are elected by and from the cardinals holding suburbicarian dioceses, but the elections require Papal confirmation. Except for presiding and deputizing respectively the dean and sub-dean have no power of governance over the other cardinals. In the Order of precedence in the Catholic Church as the senior Cardinal Bishops, the Dean and Sub-Dean are placed second and third respectively after the Pope.

The Dean is often, but not necessarily, the longest-serving member of the whole College. It had been customary for centuries for the longest-serving of the six Cardinal Bishops of suburbicarian sees to be Dean; this was required by canon law from 1917 until 1965, when Pope Paul VI empowered the six to elect the Dean from among their number. This election, a formality until the time of Pope John Paul II, must be confirmed by the pope.

The Dean holds the position until death or resignation; there is no mandatory age of retirement.

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