Cardinals Prepare: A More Global Conclave After Pope Francis
Bucharest — May 10, 2024 — the college of Cardinals is gearing up for a critical moment: the conclave to determine the successor to Pope Francis.The upcoming conclave, scheduled to commence on May 7, 2025, represents a pivotal shift, with a dramatically global representation of electors. The changing demographics of the College signal a potential new era for the papacy. This evolution necessitates a deep understanding of the key figures and the shifting power dynamics at play.
Cardinals Prepare to Elect Pope francis’ Successor: A More Global Conclave
The College of Cardinals is preparing for a conclave to elect the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis.The upcoming conclave, set to begin May 7, promises to be unlike any before, with a critically important shift towards a more global representation within the electorate.
A Shift in Representation
The upcoming conclave marks a turning point in the composition of the College of Cardinals. More than three-quarters of the 133 cardinal electors were appointed by Pope Francis, signaling a intentional effort to broaden the Church’s outlook beyond Europe.
Did You Know?
This conclave will see 12 nations represented by their native cardinal electors for the first time ever.
- Pope Francis’ Influence: 108 cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis.
- Legacy Cardinals: 22 were appointed by Benedict XVI, and 5 by St. John Paul II.
- Global Reach: The 133 cardinals hail from 71 different countries across five continents.
Key Figures and Their origins
Among the cardinal electors are several notable figures, each bringing a unique perspective to the conclave:
- france: Cardinal Philippe Barbarin.
- Croatia: Cardinal Josip Bozanić.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Cardinal Vinko Puljić.
- Ghana: cardinal peter Turkson.
A Less Euro-Centric Body
Pope francis significantly reshaped the College of cardinals during his 12-year pontificate, making it less euro-centric and more international. This shift reflects a focus on the peripheries
and acknowledges the growing importance of the Church in non-European regions.
Pro Tip
The shift towards a more global representation reflects the broader trend that the Church of the future will likely have an increasingly non-European face.
For the first time, 12 nations are represented by their native cardinal electors, including:
- Haiti
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Papua New Guinea
- Malaysia
- Sweden
- Luxembourg
- Timor Leste
- Singapore
- Paraguay
- South Sudan
- serbia
Regional Representation
While Europe still holds a significant presence, the balance of power is shifting:
- Europe: 53 cardinals (Italy leads with 19, followed by France with 6 and Spain with 5).
- Americas: 37 cardinals (16 from North America, 4 from Central America, and 17 from South America).
- Asia: 23 cardinals.
- Africa: 18 cardinals.
- Oceania: 4 cardinals.
The Americas have significantly increased their weight,
and the rest of the world
now surpasses Europe in representation.
The Ages of the Electors
The age range of the cardinal electors is broad:
- Youngest: Cardinal Mikola Bychok (45 years old).
- Oldest: cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra (79 years old).
- Born in the 1970s: Six cardinals, including Cardinal Baldassarre reina (55), Cardinal Frank Leo (1971), and Cardinal Giorgio Marengo (194).
Other age groups include 50 cardinals born in the 1940s, 47 in the 1950s, and 31 in the 1960s. The most represented birth year is 1947, with 13 cardinals aged or approaching 78.
Religious Orders
A significant number of cardinal electors belong to various religious orders:
- Total: 33 cardinals from 18 different religious orders.
- Most Represented: Salesians (5 members).
- other Orders: Order of Friars Minor (4), Jesuits (4), Conventual Franciscans (3), dominicans (2), Redemptorists (2), Divine Word Missionaries (2), and others.
Absentees
Of the 135 cardinals eligible to vote, two will not be able to attend the conclave due to health reasons, bringing the total down to 133.
FAQ
- When will the conclave begin?
- May 7, 2025.
- How many cardinals are eligible to vote?
- 133.
- What is the importance of this conclave?
- It is indeed less euro-centric and more globally representative than previous conclaves.
- Who appointed the majority of the cardinal electors?
- Pope Francis.
