Asger Risom
The May 7 conclave reflects Pope Francis’ efforts to diversify the College of Cardinals
On May 7, 135 cardinals under the age of 80 will gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.
The group is the most globally diverse in history, shaped largely by the appointments of Pope Francis, who has named 108 of the current electors.
A Generational and Geographic Shift
As reported by Digi24, the youngest elector is 45-year-old Ukrainian bishop Mykola Bychok, currently serving in Melbourne, Australia.
The oldest eligible participant is Spanish cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra, who turns 80 in mid-May.
The 135 electors hail from 71 countries, with 59 from Europe (including 19 Italians), 37 from the Americas, 20 from Asia, 16 from Africa, and 3 from Oceania.
This marks a major departure from past conclaves, reducing Eurocentrism in favor of global representation—an intentional legacy of Pope Francis.
Diversity of Backgrounds and Perspectives
The conclave will also include 34 members from various religious orders, including Jesuits, Franciscans, Dominicans, and missionaries, reflecting the pope’s emphasis on the “peripheries”—both geographical and existential.
Notably, major Western dioceses such as Paris, Milan, and Los Angeles are currently unrepresented.
Among the electors is Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, who retains voting rights despite a 2023 conviction for embezzlement—an appeal is ongoing.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Vinko Puljić of Sarajevo has withdrawn from participation for health reasons.
Key Issues Ahead of the Vote
Before the voting begins, cardinals will meet in General Congregations to define priorities for the next pontificate.
Major topics on the agenda include environmental protection, poverty reduction, inequality, the Church’s role in war-torn regions, and reinforcing pastoral presence in neglected areas.
This conclave is not only a moment of transition but also a culmination of a decade-long transformation under Pope Francis—one that may continue shaping the Church long after his departure.