VATICAN CITY — April 27,2025 — The Catholic Church is entering a period of transition as cardinals prepare to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis.The world is watching to see who will be the next leader of the Catholic Church, an event which has the potential to impact millions globally. The death of the Pope has triggered the need for cardinals to elect a new pontiff, a decision with significant implications for the Church’s future, and the role of each Cardinal.
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cardinals to Elect New Pope Following Death of Francis
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the catholic Church is preparing for a pivotal moment as cardinals from around the globe converge to elect a new pope. this follows the death of Pope Francis, who [1], [2], [3] passed away at the age of 88 earlier this week. the funeral procession for Pope francis was held on Wednesday, with his funeral service taking place Saturday, April 26.
the Conclave: Electing a New Leader
within the next few weeks, the Sistine Chapel will host a gathering of Catholic cardinals worldwide. their mission: to elect a new pope to lead the Church.
did you know? the process of electing a pope is called a conclave,derived from the Latin cum clave,
meaning with key.
this refers to the fact that the cardinals are locked away until they elect a new pope.
according to Church law,any unmarried Catholic man under 80 is technically eligible for the papacy. however, the next pope is traditionally selected from among the voting cardinals.
a Diverse College of Cardinals
this year’s conclave boasts a geographically diverse electorate:
- 53 cardinals from Europe
- 23 from Asia
- 37 from the Americas
- 18 from Africa
- 4 from Oceania
among those eligible is a cardinal from California, adding to the American presence in this significant election.
understanding the Role of a Cardinal
a cardinal is a high-ranking official within the Roman Catholic Church. currently, there are 252 cardinals globally. each one was appointed by different popes during their terms. most cardinals were bishops before their appointment.
pro tip: the distinctive red vestments worn by cardinals symbolize their willingness to defend the teachings of the Church, even to the point of shedding their blood.
cardinals play a crucial role in electing a new pope. only those under 80 years of age can vote. traditionally, they are also the primary candidates for the papacy.
the Voting Cardinals: Numbers and Diversity
the number of voting cardinals is typically capped at 120. however, this year, there will be 135 cardinals participating in the election.
popes consider age and timing when appointing new cardinals to maintain the 120-cardinal limit. Pope Francis strategically appointed younger cardinals to geographically diversify the College of Cardinals.
legacy of Appointments
of the 135 voting cardinals, Pope Francis appointed 108, representing 80% of the electorate. Pope Benedict XVI appointed 22, and Pope John Paul II appointed 5.
spotlight on Cardinal McElroy
robert walter mcelroy, formerly the Cardinal and Bishop of San Diego until 2024, now serves as Cardinal of the metropolitan Archdiocese of washington as January. born in San francisco, he holds a Master’s degree in History from Stanford University.
ordained a priest in 1980 for the Metropolitan Archdiocese of San Francisco, he became an auxiliary bishop in 2010. in 2022, Pope Francis appointed him a Cardinal and Bishop of San Diego.
other American Cardinals in the Conclave
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