Why cardinals have ranks, and how Pope Francis changed them

Vatican City, Jun 26, 2018 / 04:45 pm (CNA).- Pope Francis made an unexpected change Tuesday in the structure of the College of Cardinals, adding some curial officials to the rank of “cardinal bishops,” the highest rank within the college.

The College of Cardinals is structured in three orders, or ranks: the order of “cardinal deacons,” the order of “cardinal priests,” and the order of “cardinal bishops.”