College of Cardinals

Final preparations, discussions underway before conclave begins

Cindy Wooden · May 5, 2025

As members of the College of Cardinals met May 5, all 133 cardinals who plan to enter the conclave to elect a new pope had arrived in Rome, the Vatican press office said.

As conclave nears, all but four cardinal electors are in Rome

Cindy Wooden · May 2, 2025

All but four of the 135 cardinals who are eligible to enter the conclave May 7 to vote for a new pope had arrived in Rome by May 2, according to the Vatican press office.

Cardinal Parolin, top aide to Pope Francis, has key role in conclave

Cindy Wooden · May 1, 2025

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state since early in the pontificate of Pope Francis, has long been near the top of pundits' lists of potential successors to the Argentine pope.

Cardinals approve electors for conclave, formally ask for prayers

Justin McLellan · April 30, 2025

The College of Cardinals confirmed that 135 members are eligible to participate in the conclave, the Vatican announced, and they asked the faithful to accompany them in prayer as they prepare to elect the next pope.

Cardinal Collins set for second conclave

Joins Cardinal Leo for May 7 conclave to choose new pope

Quinton Amundson · April 29, 2025

After participating in the solemn procession on April 23 that moved the body of Pope Francis from his private Vatican City residence to St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop emeritus of Toronto, began walking across St. Peter’s Square towards his luncheon destination.

Cardinal says he will obey late pope's sanctions, not enter conclave

Carol Glatz · April 29, 2025

Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who lost the rights associated with being a cardinal after Pope Francis asked him to resign in 2020, said he would obey the late pope's wishes and not seek to enter the conclave May 7.

Conclave to start May 7

Carol Glatz · April 28, 2025

The conclave that begins May 7 is expected to be the largest in history, with a wide geographical mix of cardinal-electors.

Top contenders for papacy after Francis

135 cardinal electors are eligible to enter pre-conclave gatherings

Michael R. Heinlein · April 25, 2025

At the conclusion of the official days of mourning following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 135 cardinal electors are eligible to enter pre-conclave gatherings.

Pope Francis extends terms of dean, subdean of College of Cardinals

Cindy Wooden · February 6, 2025

Pope Francis has extended the terms of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as dean of the College of Cardinals and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as subdean, the Vatican press office announced.

Toronto's Archbishop elevated along with 20 other Cardinals

Quinton Amundson · December 7, 2024

Standing in communion alongside brother bishops from Argentina, Ecuador, Iran, Serbia and a rich assemblage of other nations, Toronto's Archbishop Francis Leo was elevated to the College of Cardinals at St. Peter’s Basilica today.