College of Cardinals

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Pope Leo XIV addresses the College of Cardinals at the Vatican on May 10, 2025. The newly elected pontiff outlined his vision for his papacy in his first official meeting.

Pope Leo XIV shares vision for papacy in age of artificial intelligence

May 10, 2025

By AC Wimmer

Pope Leo XIV explained his choice of name and the Church’s social teaching in the face of artificial intelligence and... Read more

Pope Leo XIV is seen flanked by cardinals at St. Peter’s Basilica shortly after his election, Thursday, May 8, 2025.

LIVE UPDATES: First key dates of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate announced

May 9, 2025

By CNA Staff

LIVE UPDATES: First Mass of Pope Leo XIV Read more

Indian Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad of the Syro-Malabar Church, official of the Secretariat of State and organizer of papal trips, was created a cardinal by Pope Francis during the consistory at St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 7, 2024.

India’s Cardinal Koovakad plays key role ensuring secrecy, validity of conclave voting

May 8, 2025

By Kristina Millare

As the most junior member of the College of Cardinals, Koovakad is tasked with drawing out the names of three... Read more

From left to right: Cardinal Louis Sako (Iraq), Cardinal Mario Zenari (Syria), Cardinal Dominique Mathieu (Iran), 
Cardinal Louis Sako (Iraq), Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Jerusalem), and Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero (Morocco).

Who are the Middle Eastern cardinals participating in the conclave?

May 8, 2025

By Souheil Lawand

This paradigm shift reflects the profound transformation within the Catholic Church as it increasingly emphasizes broader representation from the global... Read more

Cardinals process to the Sistine Chapel as the conclave to elect the 266th successor to St. Peter, the 267th pope, begins on May 7, 2025.

Are the cardinals forever bound to not reveal the results of the conclave balloting?

May 8, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

The recent history of the Catholic Church shows that the secrecy eventually breaks. Read more

Reference photo of two chefs.

No pasta carbonara or hard liquor on cardinals’ conclave menu

Nutritionist Giorgio Calabrese, an Italian doctor who specializes in nutritional science, prepared the menu for the cardinal electors who have... Read more

Left to right: Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Cardinal Vinko Puljić, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, Cardinal Péter Erdő, and Cardinal Peter Turkson.

Meet the 5 cardinal electors with the most conclave experience

May 7, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Four electors — Cardinals Peter Turkson, Philippe Barbarin, Péter Erdő, and Josip Bozanić — became members of the College of... Read more

Cardinals prepare to begin the conclave to elect a new pope in the Sistine Chapel on May 7, 2025.

Conclave schedule: What time does the smoke appear?

Beginning Thursday, the cardinals will hold four votes each day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Read more

Cardinals process into the Sistine Chapel as the conclave to elect the 266th successor to St. Peter, the 267th pope, begins on May 7, 2025.

‘Extra omnes:’ Cardinals closed in conclave begin the election of the new pope

May 7, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Inside the Sistine Chapel, each cardinal elector stood before his assigned seat, facing the Book of the Gospels, placed on... Read more

Cardinals gather for the the seventh Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 2, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

These are the challenges identified by the cardinals ahead of the conclave

May 6, 2025

By Courtney Mares

Over the course of 12 general congregations before the conclave, the cardinals discussed key challenges facing the Church. Read more

Long tables at the Sistine Chapel await the arrival of cardinals for the conclave to elect the next pope, Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

PHOTOS: The Sistine Chapel awaits the arrival of cardinal electors to choose the next pope

May 6, 2025

By Daniel Payne

The proceedings will take place in absolute secrecy, with the prelates largely sequestered from the outside world for as long... Read more

The papal fisherman’s ring and lead seal are nulled during the 12th general congregation of the College of Cardinals on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Cardinals witness destruction of Pope Francis’ ring, seal

May 6, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The ring and seal are destroyed or nulled after a pope’s death to prevent their future misuse to seal official... Read more

Hundreds of thousands of mourners attend the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square, Saturday, April 26, 2025

MAP: Key Vatican locations to know about as the conclave begins

May 6, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

On the morning of May 7 the conclave will commence, with all the cardinals present, with the Holy Mass for... Read more

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Middle Eastern Christians speak: What they want from the next pope

May 5, 2025

By Romy Haber

Here is what some Middle Eastern Christians say they are seeking from the next bishop of Rome. Read more

Cardinals participate in the fifth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on April 30, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

How Pope Francis shaped the College of Cardinals

May 4, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Of the 133 cardinals with the right to vote in this conclave, 108 were created by Pope Francis and therefore... Read more

Cardinal Francis Arinze speaks to EWTN News on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025

Cardinal Arinze: ‘We want a pope who is full of fire for the kingdom of Christ’

May 3, 2025

By Courtney Mares

In an interview with EWTN earlier this year, 92-year-old Cardinal Francis Arinze reflected on the qualities needed in the next... Read more

Cardinals participate in the fifth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on April 30, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Pope Francis’ cardinal picks bring new voices to the conclave

May 2, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

The proportion of cardinal electors from Africa and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, and countries in... Read more

Cardinals celebrate the sixth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 1, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

2025 conclave to be largest in Catholic Church’s history

May 2, 2025

By Courtney Mares

The unprecedented number of 133 cardinal electors surpasses all previous papal conclaves, breaking the previous record of 115 electors in... Read more

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández delivers the homily during the sixth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 1, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

FULL TEXT: Cardinal Fernández’s homily on the sixth day of Novendiales

Here is the full text of the homily from Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, delivered at the sixth Novendiales Mass on... Read more

Cardinals participate in the fifth Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on April 30, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

LIVE UPDATES: Cardinals celebrate fifth Novendiales Mass, ask for prayers for conclave

Apr 30, 2025

By CNA Staff

Follow here for live updates of the latest news regarding the upcoming papal conclave. Read more