As the Catholic Church embarks on the sacred process of electing its 267th pope following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, four Indian cardinals are among the 133 electors convening in the Sistine Chapel. This conclave, notable for its unprecedented geographical diversity, underscores India’s growing influence within the global Catholic community.
India’s representation in the conclave
The four Indian cardinals participating are:Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao (72): Archbishop of Goa and Daman, and President of both the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. He is recognized for his commitment to family ministry, interfaith dialogue, and social justice. The Indian ExpressCardinal Baselios Cleemis (64): Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, based in Thiruvananthapuram, and President of the Synod of the Syro-Malankara Church. India TodayCardinal Anthony Poola (63): Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad and the first Dalit cardinal in the Catholic Church, symbolizing a significant step towards inclusivity.Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad (51):Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, emphasizing the Vatican’s commitment to fostering understanding among different faiths.
The conclave process
The conclave commenced on May 7 with a solemn Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by the cardinals’ seclusion in the Sistine Chapel. Under Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes, they will cast secret ballots, requiring a two-thirds majority—89 votes—to elect the new pope. The process is enveloped in strict confidentiality, with measures like signal jammers and oaths of secrecy to prevent information leaks.
A global church at a crossroads
This conclave is the most geographically diverse in history, reflecting the Church’s expansion beyond its traditional European base. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, emphasized the need for unity and love in his homily, urging electors to choose a pope capable of guiding the Church through contemporary challenges.