College of Cardinals

The Sacred College of Cardinals is the body of all Cardinals of the Catholic Church. Its members advise the pope. During vacancies in the papacy resulting from the death or resignation of the pope, the College of Cardinals constitutes the sovereign authority within the Vatican City and the highest authority in the Catholic Church. The College of Cardinals meets behind closed doors, i.e., in Conclave, to elect the new pope, usually, but not always, choosing one of its own members.