2 THE CURIA
The College of Cardinals, which developed out of the local Roman clergy and has always unwillingly made concessions to foreign coun- tries (the decisive step from a national Roman to a universalistic mem- bership was taken in the eleventh century by the German Pope, Leo IX), still chooses half its membership from Italy. Nevertheless the number of foreign cardinals is growing and the "Senate of the Roman Pontifex" is gradually approximating what it ought to be a group representative of the world-wide Church. Little would be gained if the cardinal's hat were conferred on bishops of other countries who on account of their duties at home could not participate in the central administration of the Church; for though they would be duly appointed members of the Curia, they would not know what was going on. The obligation to keep silence which rests upon the cardi- nals of the Curia is so strict that in part it also expressly applies to conversations with members of the same Congregation resident out- side Rome. If, then, the prominent bishoprics of many countries arc customarily honoured by the bestowal of the cardinal's dignity on their archbishops as is the case in the United States this is a gesture of regard for the country, and entails no obligations. It does not clear the road to direct influence in Roman Church government. Today there is a single German cardinal in the Curia. More than three- fourths of the cardinals in that organization are Italians.
Formerly the full assembly of cardinals, the Consistory over which the Pope himself presides, was the real advisory body. Since the work has been divided among the Congregations and Offices, the Con- sistory has become only a ceremonious assembly serving such solemn purposes as the appointment of cardinals and bishops or the canoniza- tion of a saint. It seldom meets more than twice a year.
On the day previous, the senior Cursor Apostolicus, messenger of the Vatican, calls on the Pope, kneels, and says "Good health and a long life, Holy Father! Will there be a Consistory tomorrow?" The Pope replies, "There will be a Consistory," and names the hour. Then the cursores bring the news to the cardinals. Those invited appear in the hall of the Secret Consistory dressed in the scarlet-red robes of their rank. The Pope is seated under a red canopy, on a red damask chair placed on a dais. When he comes in with his reti- nue, the master of ceremonies calls out, "Extra omnes!" (Everybody
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