As the Catholic Church looks to choose its 267th pope after Pope Francis departed this life on April 21, four Indian cardinals are playing a decisive role in this conclave. In a historic election, the electors will assemble to vote at the Sistine Chapel, though increased international diversity in the electors accentuated India’s growing influence in the worldwide Catholic community.
Among the 133 cardinal electors, the Indian representatives are:
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao (72): Archbishop of Goa and Daman, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. He is also recognized for his firm support for family ministry, interfaith dialogue, and social justice.
Cardinal Baselios Cleemis (64): Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and President of the Synod of the Syro-Malankara Church.
Cardinal Anthony Poola (63): Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad and the first Dalit cardinal in the Catholic Church, symbolizing a move toward greater inclusivity within the faith.
Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad (51): Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, contributing to the Vatican’s efforts to promote understanding between different religious communities.
India’s significant representation at this conclave marks a milestone in the global church’s evolution.
