speaking of princes, are cardinals truly considered as princes of the church???[/quote:22uhtfoi]
The title is given to them (among others) because the Pope is the Sovergn, and the Cardinals are his advisors. the title does not carry any civil authority. Before the first Democratic Governments, the Pope would send legates, or representatives to Kings, usually Cardinals, who as representatives of the Pope would be received using similar protocols at court as a prince.