A total of 133 cardinal electors are expected to participate in the upcoming Conclave. Of these, 52 (about 39%) are from Europe, confirming the continent’s continued prominence within a progressively international Church. Italy is the most represented European nation with 17 electors (12.6% of the total), followed by France and Spain with five and four cardinal electors respectively. Poland and Portugal have four each (2.9%), Germany and the United Kingdom have three (2.2%), Switzerland has two (1.5%), and Belgium along with other Eastern and Northern European countries each have one representative.
The rest of the world will be represented by 23 Asian cardinal electors (17%), 17 from Africa (12.8%), 17 from South America (12.8%), 16 from North America (12%), and four each from Central America and Oceania (3% each). Although Europe’s representation has diminished compared to past conclaves, it remains the largest regional group in the electoral college, thanks in part to the historical influence of several national Churches.
A total of 108 cardinal electors (80%) were appointed during Pope Francis’ pontificate, 22 by Pope Benedict XVI (16%), and five by Pope John Paul II (4%). These figures reflect the significant renewal of the College of Cardinals that has taken place during Francis’s pontificate, which will be reflected in the next Conclave.
Italy
The Italian cardinal electors who will participate in the next conclave exhibit a variety of experiences and backgrounds. Fabio Baggio (born 1965), former Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, has many years of experience in the pastoral care of migrants. Domenico Battaglia (1963), Metropolitan Archbishop of Naples, has been actively engaged in social pastoral care and charity services. Giuseppe Betori (1947) is the Archbishop Emeritus of Florence. He served part of his ministry at the General Secretariat of the Italian Episcopal Conference, first as Director of the National Catechetical Office, and later as Secretary General. Angelo De Donatis (b. 1954), formerly the Major Penitentiary, is renowned for his extensive pastoral ministry as Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome. Fernando Filoni (b. 1946), Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, has played a prominent role in the Holy See’s diplomatic service. Mauro Gambetti (born 1965), Archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica, was formerly Custos General of the General Custody of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi. Claudio Gugerotti (b. 1955), Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, gained extensive diplomatic experience as Apostolic Nuncio to countries in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Augusto Paolo Lojudice (b. 1964), the Metropolitan Archbishop of Siena-Colle di Val d’Elsa-Montalcino, carried out his pastoral ministry in Rome’s suburban areas for many years. Francesco Montenegro (1946), Archbishop Emeritus of Agrigento, served as President of Caritas Italy with a special concern for migration. Pietro Parolin (1955) is the former Secretary of State. During his time in office, he played a central role in Vatican diplomacy and international negotiations. Giuseppe Petrocchi (1948), Metropolitan Archbishop of L’Aquila, oversaw the ecclesial and social reconstruction of the diocese following the 2009 earthquake. Baldassare Reina (1970), Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, has a rich background in academic and pastoral work in Sicily. Roberto Repole (1967), Metropolitan Archbishop of Turin and Susa, served as the director of the Theological Faculty of Turin where he engaged in reflection on contemporary ecclesiology. Marcello Semeraro (1947), former Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and with a deep knowledge of ecclesiology that matured during the Second Vatican Council, has been involved in the reform of the Roman Curia. Mario Zenari (1946) is the Apostolic Nuncio to Syria. He witnessed first-hand the suffering caused by the conflict in the Middle East. Matteo Maria Zuppi (born 1955), the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, is renowned for his commitment to ecumenical dialogue and social development. Oscar Cantoni (1950), Bishop of Como, has focused his ministry on priestly formation and youth ministry.
France
Jean-Marc Aveline (b. 1958), Metropolitan Archbishop of Marseille, is a key player in interfaith dialogue in the Mediterranean region. Philippe Barbarin (born 1950), Archbishop Emeritus of Lyon, served with great dedication in his ministry, marked by his commitment for the new evangelisation. François-Xavier Bustillo (1968), Bishop of Ajaccio and a Conventual Franciscan, embodies the sensitivity of a Church that is close to the peripheries and to the charism of fraternity. Dominique Mamberti (1952), Prefect Emeritus of the Apostolic Signatura, has a distinctly diplomatic and juridical profile, largely developed during his time as nuncio. Christophe Pierre (b. 1946), Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, is one of the most authoritative voices of Vatican diplomacy in the contemporary world.
Spain
José Cobo Cano (1965), Archbishop of Madrid, has a young pastoral profile that is closely attuned to the social dynamics of this metropolis. Ángel Fernández Artime (1960), Rector Major of the Salesians, is the first cardinal from the Salesian Family with many years of experience in education and missionary work. Juan José Omella Omella (1946), Archbishop of Barcelona, is distinguished by his proximity to the people and his commitment to social dialogue. Carlos Osoro Sierra (1945), Archbishop Emeritus of Madrid, successfully united the proclamation of the Gospel with an unwavering dedication to young people and family life.
Poland
Konrad Krajewski (1963), former Almoner of His Holiness, is the Cardinal of Charity, known for his closeness to the poor and migrants. Kazimierz Nycz (1950), Archbishop of Warsaw, has guided the Polish Church through crucial stages of the post-communist period. Stanisław Ryłko (born 1945), Archpriest Emeritus of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, served the Vatican for many years, particularly in the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Grzegorz Ryś (1964) is the Archbishop of Łódź and is considered a dynamic and open voice of the new generation of Polish bishops.
Portugal
Américo Manuel Aguiar Alves (1973), Bishop of Setúbal, played a central role in the organisation of the World Youth Day in Lisbon. Manuel Clemente (born 1948), Patriarch Emeritus of Lisbon, is known for balancing theological rigour with the dialogue with civil society. António Augusto dos Santos Marto (1947), Bishop Emeritus of Leiria-Fátima, has a deep attachment to Marian spirituality and the magisterium of hope. José Tolentino de Mendonça (b. 1965), former Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, is a poet, theologian, and interpreter of the dialogue between faith and the contemporary world.
Germany
Reinhard Marx (1953), Archbishop of Munich and Freising, played a central role in the reflection on Synodality and the reform of the Church. Gerhard Ludwig Müller (1947), served as the Cardinal-Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He is a staunch defender of traditional doctrine. Archbishop of Cologne Rainer Maria Woelki (1956) combines pastoral sensitivity with a vision of the Church rooted in fidelity to tradition.
United Kingdom
Gerard Vincent Nichols (1945), the Archbishop of Westminster, is recognised as one of the most influential figures in the British Catholic Church, known for his commitment to ecumenical dialogue. Timothy Peter Joseph Radcliffe (1945), a theologian and preacher from the Dominican Order, is highly regarded for his ability to engage in cultural and religious dialogue. Arthur Roche (1950), former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has been a leading figure in the recent liturgical reform process in the wake of the Second Vatican Council.
Switzerland
Kurt Koch (1950), former Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, is a leading Catholic voice in the field of ecumenical dialogue. Emil Paul Tscherrig (1947) is the Apostolic Nuncio to Italy. This role has given him extensive diplomatic experience across several continents in the service of the Holy See.
Belgium
Jozef De Kesel (1947) is the Archbishop Emeritus of Mechelen-Brussels. He combined his pastoral guidance with a commitment to cultural dialogue and Gospel proclamation in a pluralistic society.
Eastern and Northern Europe
Anders Arborelius (1949), Bishop of Stockholm, is the first Swedish cardinal in history and a leading figure in interreligious dialogue. Josip Bozanić (born 1949), Archbishop Emeritus of Zagreb, had a prominent role in guiding the Croatian Church as it navigated crucial stages of its recent history. Willem Jacobus Eijk (1953), Archbishop of Utrecht, combines a solid theological grounding with his pastoral dedication in a context of rising secularisation. Péter Erdő (1952), Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, is one of the most prominent figures in the Hungarian Church. Jean-Claude Hollerich (1958), Archbishop of Luxembourg and president of COMECE, is actively engaged in the dialogue between faith and contemporary culture. Rolandas Makrickas (1973), who served as coadjutor archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, brings the experience of a Lithuanian Church still scarred by the memories of persecution. Mario Grech (1957), Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, exemplifies the face of a synodal Church as it moves forward. Ladislav Nemet (1956), Archbishop of Belgrade, is known for his commitment to building bridges of interreligious dialogue in the Balkans. Vinko Puljić (1945), Archbishop Emeritus of Sarajevo, experienced the suffering and reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the aftermath of the conflict.
