A cardinal named in pectore is known only to the pope; not even the cardinal so named is necessarily aware of his elevation, and in any event cannot function as a cardinal while his appointment is in pectore. Today, cardinals are named in pectore to protect them or their congregations from reprisals if their identities were known.
What can a cardinal in pectore continue to function as?
{'text': 'cannot function as a cardinal', 'answer_start': 142}