College of Cardinals

The Latest

Cardinals celebrate the Novendiales Masses on the fourth day of mourning for Pope Francis on April 29, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

College of Cardinals asks for prayers ahead of May 7 conclave

Apr 30, 2025

By Courtney Mares

The appeal came as the cardinals concluded their seventh general congregation — the daily meetings leading up to the start... Read more

Cardinals in Rome

These are the cardinals from the U.S. and Canada participating in the conclave

Apr 30, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Here is a list of the cardinals from the U.S. and Canada taking part in the conclave. Read more

A view of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel on Oct. 29, 2014.

CNA explains: What is a conclave and how does it work?

Apr 29, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

The conclave to elect a new pope will begin on May 7. Here’s what you need to know about what... Read more

From left to right: Cardinal Robert Sarah, Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, Cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra, Cardinal Joseph Coutts, and Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe.

Meet the 5 oldest cardinals taking part in the 2025 conclave 

Apr 28, 2025

By Courtney Mares

Fifteen cardinals taking part in the upcoming conclave are 79 years old — some making it under the cutoff just... Read more

Pope Francis dies at 88: The Holy See has confirmed the passing of the first Latin American pontiff.

BREAKING: Pope Francis dies at 88, ending historic pontificate marked by mercy and reform

Apr 21, 2025

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for just over 12 years as its first Latin American pontiff, has died... Read more

The College of Cardinals celebrates Mass March 12, 2013, before entering the Sistine Chapel for the papal conclave.

Analysis: Generational change in the Roman Curia and body of cardinals is coming in 2025

Feb 24, 2025

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Catholic Church has entered a year of sweeping changes in the Roman Curia and cardinalate both at the Vatican... Read more

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals.

Cardinals Re and Sandri confirmed as dean and vice dean of College of Cardinals

Feb 7, 2025

By Marco Mancini

Pope Francis has extended the approval he had granted for the election of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as dean of... Read more

Cardinal Mykola Bychok is a Ukrainian Greek Catholic prelate.

World’s youngest cardinal is just 44 years old

Dec 10, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Among the new crop of cardinals created by Pope Francis on Dec. 7, Cardinal Mykola Bychok stands out. At 44,... Read more

Cardinals follow the ceremony during the ordinary public consistory for the creation of new cardinals at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Dec. 7, 2024.

Analysis: What Pope Francis’ new cardinals reveal about future conclave

Dec 8, 2024

By Andrea Gagliarducci

While he has appointed 78% of electors, factors including limited gatherings and logistical challenges suggest the next conclave’s outcome remains... Read more

Pope Francis delivers the homily during Mass on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in St. Peter's Basilica, Dec. 8, 2024.

Pope Francis links Mary’s humility to modern church at Mass with new cardinals

Dec 8, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis celebrated the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception with the news cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica, calling Christians to... Read more

The last ordinary public consistory to create new cardinals took place on Sept. 30, 2023.

What is a consistory? Your questions answered

Dec 6, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Here’s everything you need to know about this Saturday’s consistory. Read more

Cardinals outside the Paul VI Hall.

21 new cardinals to reflect Catholic Church’s unity amid geographic expansion

Dec 4, 2024

By Kristina Millare

While the College of Cardinals will still largely be European, after the Dec. 7 consistory more than 90 countries will... Read more

Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals from across the world at a consistory in St. Peter’s Square on Sept. 30, 2023.

5 Italians to be elevated as cardinals by Pope Francis at Dec. 7 consistory

Dec 1, 2024

By Kristina Millare

In total, 21 cardinals — representing the Catholic Church’s geographical diversity — will be created at the upcoming consistory on... Read more

Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples, Italy.

Italy’s Mafia-fighting ‘street priest’ Archbishop Domenico Battaglia to become a cardinal

Nov 14, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Battaglia’s reputation as a “street priest” close to drug addicts and the poor has also led some to view him... Read more

Pope Francis addresses journalists aboard the papal plane heading to Mongolia, with Cardinal-elect George Jacob Koovakad at left, on Aug. 31, 2023.

Meet Pope Francis’ personal travel agent — new cardinal George Koovakad

Nov 7, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pontiff introduced Father George Jacob Koovakad to the world in 2021 as someone who is “always smiling.” Read more

The blood of St. Januarius liquefied on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, before a Mass in Naples, Italy, where Archbishop Domenico Battaglia said that the blood of the fourth-century martyr is a powerful reminder that “love is stronger than death.”

Pope Francis includes Naples, Italy, archbishop among new cardinals

Nov 5, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

During his tenure in Naples, Italy, the archbishop has spoken out strongly against the violence of organized crime in the... Read more

Cardinals outside the Paul VI Hall.

Pope Francis cuts salaries of Vatican cardinals again

Oct 28, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Pope Francis has decided to cut the salaries of the cardinals working at the Vatican again, a measure that will... Read more

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, 2023, where he also blessed the pallia for new archbishops.

Vatican shares Pope Francis’ schedule for December consistory to create cardinals

Oct 12, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Dec. 8, Pope Francis will preside at a Mass with the College of Cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica. Read more

Pope Francis prays at the Mass in suffrage for the cardinals and bishops who have died in the past year, Nov. 2, 2022.

Pope Francis writes letter to new cardinals: You express the Church’s unity

Oct 12, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis will add 21 members to the College of Cardinals at a consistory at the Vatican in December. Read more

Pope Francis creates new cardinals at a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 5, 2019.

Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including archbishops of Tehran and Toronto

Oct 6, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has created 142 cardinals from 70 countries at nine consistories. Read more