You’re standing in the middle of St. Peter’s Square. To your left, a group of Swiss Guards are chatting in German. To your right, a Brazilian family is praying in Portuguese. High above, in the Apostolic Palace, a group of men in scarlet robes are debating the future of a two-thousand-year-old institution.
The question is: what language are they using?
If you’ve ever wondered if do cardinals have to speak italian, the answer is a classic Vatican "yes and no." Mostly no, but kinda yes if they actually want to get anything done. There is no fine print in Canon Law that says, "Learn Italian or turn in your red hat." You won't find a linguistic entrance exam.
However, the reality of the Holy See is a lot messier than the rulebook suggests.
The Unspoken Rule of the Roman Curia
Technically, Latin remains the "official" language of the Holy See. It’s the language of the big, dusty books and the solemn declarations. But if you walk into a Vatican cafeteria and try to order a caffe latte in Latin, you’re going to get some very confused looks.
In the real world, Italian is the lingua franca.
It’s the language of the hallways. The language of the bureaucracy. If a Cardinal from South Korea wants to talk to a Cardinal from Germany about a new decree, they aren't brushing up on their Cicero. They’re likely speaking Italian. Or, increasingly, English.
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But Italian holds a special, almost sacred grip on the place. Why? Because the Vatican is an island inside Rome. Most of the lay staff—the people who actually type the memos, fix the plumbing, and run the security—are Italians. If a Cardinal can’t communicate with his own staff, he’s basically flying blind.
What Happens in a Conclave?
When the doors lock and the world waits for white smoke, things change. This is the one time when the question do cardinals have to speak italian becomes a matter of high-stakes politics.
During a Conclave, the formal proceedings are still heavily Latin-focused. The oaths are in Latin. The ballots say Eligo in summum pontificem ("I elect as Supreme Pontiff"). But the actual decision-making? That happens during the coffee breaks.
- Language Groups: Cardinals often huddle in small groups based on what they speak.
- The Power of Persuasion: If you can’t lobby your colleagues because you don't share a language, your influence drops to zero.
- Translators: Technically, they aren't allowed in the secret sessions. You’re on your own.
Honestly, it's a bit of a nightmare for the "outsider" Cardinals who haven't spent time working in Rome. If you're a Cardinal from a remote diocese who has never lived in Italy, you might feel like a kid at a party where everyone else is sharing an inside joke.
The "Leo XIV" Shift and the Death of Latin?
As of 2026, we are seeing a massive shift. Pope Leo XIV recently approved new regulations for the Roman Curia that officially allow documents to be drafted in "Latin or another language."
This is huge.
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For centuries, Latin was the default. Now, English and Spanish are moving into the "official" lane. The Vatican is finally admitting what everyone already knew: the Church is global, and sticking to a "dead" language for daily paperwork is just bad management.
But notice what didn't disappear. Italian is still there. It's the "working" language. Even as the Church moves toward more English-friendly policies to accommodate the growing number of bishops from Africa and Asia, the Roman heart of the institution still beats in Italian.
Can You Be Pope Without Speaking Italian?
Imagine being elected the Bishop of Rome and not speaking the language of your people. It would be like being the Mayor of New York and not speaking English.
While the College of Cardinals can technically elect anyone (theoretically even a layperson, though that hasn't happened in centuries), they almost always pick someone who is at least "Italian-adjacent."
Pope Francis is a great example. He’s Argentinian, sure, but his family was Italian. He speaks it fluently. Before him, Benedict XVI and John Paul II were legendary polyglots. They knew that to lead the Church, you had to speak to the world, but to run the Vatican, you had to speak to the Italians.
Why Italian Still Wins the Popularity Contest
There’s a practical side to this that people forget. The Vatican’s legal system is intertwined with Italian law in many ways (thanks to the Lateran Treaty). The news is reported in Italian. The local Roman culture is Italian.
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If a Cardinal is appointed to a "Dicastery" (think of it as a government department), he has to manage a team. If he can't speak Italian, he’s going to be the most frustrated boss in Europe.
- Internal Memos: Usually Italian.
- Press Conferences: Often Italian with translations.
- Daily Mass in Rome: Italian.
So, while do cardinals have to speak italian isn't a legal requirement, it is a functional one. If you want to be a "Prince of the Church" who actually has a seat at the table, you better start practicing your buongiorno.
The Complexity of a Global Church
We have to acknowledge the tension here. Many Cardinals from the Global South—where the Church is actually growing—feel that the "Italian-centric" nature of the Vatican is outdated. They argue that English or Spanish should be the primary languages.
They have a point.
More Catholics speak Spanish than any other language. More people globally use English for business. But the Vatican is a place of tradition. It doesn't move fast. It moves at the speed of a glacier that’s been around since the Caesars.
Actionable Insights for Church Watchers
If you're following Vatican politics or planning a trip to the Holy City, here’s the "boots on the ground" reality:
- Don't expect Latin: Unless you're at a very specific traditional Mass, you won't hear it spoken.
- English is rising: Most younger clergy and "International" Cardinals speak excellent English. It’s the new bridge between cultures.
- The "Roman" Factor: If a Cardinal has "spent time in Rome" (meaning he studied or worked there), his stock goes up. It means he speaks the language and knows how the "Italian way" works.
- Learning the Lingo: If you're an aspiring theologian, learning Italian is actually more practical for research than Latin is for daily life.
The Church is currently in a tug-of-war between its Roman roots and its global future. Italian is the rope. Whether it stays the dominant language for the next hundred years is anyone's guess, but for now, it remains the key that unlocks the doors of the Vatican.
To understand the Vatican, look past the red hats and the incense. Listen to the language of the people making the espresso in the breakroom. That's where the real power lies.