With Pope Francis, 88, undergoing treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after severe breathing difficulties, speculation about the next papal election has intensified. The Vatican has stated that the Pope’s health is stable, but the possibility of a conclave looms large.

As per the rules set by the Catholic Church, only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the papal conclave. Out of the 252 cardinals globally, 138 currently qualify, including four Indian cardinals who will be part of the historic election process.

India has a total of six cardinals, but Cardinal Oswald Gracias (80) and Cardinal George Alencherry (79) will soon surpass the voting age limit, with Alencherry set to lose his right to vote after April 19, 2025.

Who are the Indian cardinals eligible to vote?

The four Indian cardinals who will cast their votes to select the next Pope come from diverse backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in the Catholic Church.

1. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão (72) – Archbishop of Goa and Daman

  • The seventh patriarch of the East Indies, Cardinal Ferrão has been a strong advocate for family ministry, interreligious dialogue, and social justice issues, particularly focusing on migrants and climate change.

  • Ordained as a priest in 1979, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2022 by Pope Francis.

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    Eminem George Jacob Koovakad being created a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Francis

2. Cardinal Cleemis Baselios (64) – Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church

  • Born as Isaac Thottumkal, Cardinal Cleemis is the head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, one of the Eastern Catholic Churches based in India.

  • He was ordained in 1986 and became a cardinal in 2012, making him the first Syro-Malankara cardinal in history.

3. Cardinal Anthony Poola (63) – India’s First Dalit Cardinal

  • Cardinal Poola, the Archbishop of Hyderabad, is the first Dalit cardinal in Indian history, making his appointment a significant step toward addressing caste-based inequalities within the Church.

  • He has been instrumental in social welfare programs aimed at uplifting marginalized communities and has worked extensively to improve education and healthcare for underprivileged children.

4. Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad (51) – Vatican Diplomat & Syro-Malabar Archbishop

  • The youngest Indian cardinal, Cardinal Koovakad is a trained Vatican diplomat and a high-ranking Syro-Malabar Church leader from Kerala.

  • He organized Pope Francis’ international trips between 2021 and 2024 and was recently appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in January 2025.

  • His elevation to the College of Cardinals in December 2024 makes him one of the most influential Indian figures in the Vatican today.

The Other Two Indian Cardinals

  • Cardinal Oswald Gracias (80) – The Archbishop of Bombay, a canon law expert, and a former member of Pope Francis’ advisory council.

  • Cardinal George Alencherry (79) – The Major Archbishop Emeritus of the Syro-Malabar Church, set to lose his voting rights in April 2025.

How the papal conclave works

Once a Pope resigns or passes away, the College of Cardinals gathers in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican to elect a new leader through a secret ballot system.

  1. Isolation & Secrecy: The cardinals take an oath of secrecy and are completely cut off from the outside world during the voting process.

  2. Ballot Process: Each cardinal writes the name of their preferred candidate on a slip of paper and places it in a chalice.

  3. Voting Rounds: A two-thirds majority is required to elect the next Pope. If no one reaches the majority, multiple rounds of voting take place.

  4. Smoke Signals: The ballots are burned after each round. Black smoke indicates no decision has been reached, while white smoke announces that a new Pope has been chosen.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Cardinal Cleemis Baselios, Cardinal Anthony Poola, Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad

India’s role in previous papal elections

During the 2013 conclave, which resulted in Pope Francis’ election, five Indian cardinals—Telesphore Toppo (Patna), Oswald Gracias (Mumbai), George Alencherry (Syro-Malabar Church), Baselios Cleemis (Syro-Malankara Church), and Ivan Dias (Roman Curia)—participated in the voting.

 

With four Indian cardinals now eligible to vote, India's influence in the Vatican continues to grow. Their votes will help shape the future leadership of the Catholic Church, particularly as Pope Francis’ successor is expected to continue addressing global challenges such as migration, climate change, and interfaith relations.

What happens next?

As Pope Francis remains under medical supervision, discussions about his potential successor are gaining momentum. While there is no official confirmation of a conclave yet, his hospitalization and previous statements about resignation have intensified speculation.

If a conclave is called, it will be one of the most closely watched papal elections in recent history. With Indian cardinals playing a key role, their influence in shaping the next phase of the Catholic Church’s leadership will be more significant than ever before.