Page "Cardinal (Catholicism)" Paragraph 73

Until 1917 it was possible for someone who was not a priest, but only in minor orders, to become a cardinal ( see " lay cardinals ", below ), but they were enrolled only in the order of cardinal deacons.

For example, in the 16th century, Reginald Pole was a cardinal for 18 years before he was ordained a priest.

In 1917 it was established that all cardinals, even cardinal deacons, had to be priests, and in 1962, John XXIII set the norm that all cardinals be bishops.

Consequently, canon 351 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law requires that a cardinal be at least in the order of priesthood at his appointment, and that those who are not already bishops must receive episcopal consecration, a rule from which dispensation may be obtained from the pope, as by Cardinals Roberto Tucci, Albert Vanhoye, Domenico Bartolucci and most recently Karl Josef Becker.