Four American chiefs are among the 133 votes convening in the Sistine Chapel as the Catholic Church prepares to elect its 267th bishop following the death of Pope Francis on April 21. This conclave, which is renowned for its extraordinary physical diversity, highlights India’s growing impact within the world’s Catholic community.
depiction of India at the conference
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, 72, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, and the chairman of both the Federation of Asian Bishops ‘ Events and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, are the four Indian chiefs who are present. His dedication to interracial speech, social justice, and household ministry is praised. The Indian ExpressCardinal Baselios Cleemis ( 64 ), the leader of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church’s Synod, and major archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church with headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. India TodayCardinal Anthony Poola ( 63 ): The first Dalit cardinal in the Catholic Church and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad, making a significant step toward inclusivity. The Vatican’s 61-year-old Prefect George Jacob Koovakad ( 51 ): Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, praised the Vatican’s commitment to foster interfaith dialogue.
Synod procedure
The chiefs were sequestered in the Sistine Chapel on May 7 with a grave Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. They will cast secret ballots under Michelangelo’s famous frescoes, which will require a two-thirds majority of the vote ( 89 votes ) to choose the new pope. The procedure adheres to strict security, with measures like message jammers and confidentiality oaths to stop information leaks.
A world religion at a turning point
The Church’s rise beyond its traditional European roots is reflected in this conference, which is the most geographically diverse in story. In his sermon, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, appealed to voters to pick a bishop capable of guiding the Church through modern difficulties. He stressed the need for unity and enjoy.
