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Gulf News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf News
Who are the four Indian cardinals electing the new pope?
The Catholic Church has entered a period of sede vacante — the interregnum between papacies, following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. A conclave will soon convene in the Sistine Chapel, where 135 cardinal electors under the age of 80 will gather to choose the next leader of the 1.3 billion-strong global Catholic community. It should begin no less than 15 and no more than 20 days after the death of the pope. The cardinals will meet in the Sistine Chapel, a Renaissance jewel adorned with Michelangelo's celebrated frescoes, and hold four ballots a day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, until one candidate wins two-thirds of the votes. At the end of each session, the ballots are burned in a stove by the chapel, releasing smoke above the Apostolic Palace as the world watches. If black smoke billows from a chimney overlooking St Peter's Square, the vote has been unsuccessful. White smoke signals a new pope has been elected. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao (Age 72) Serving as the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Cardinal Ferrao also holds the titles of Patriarch of the East Indies and President of both the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. He is renowned for his commitment to family ministry, interfaith dialogue, and social justice, with a particular focus on supporting migrants and environmental protection. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis (Age 64) Born Isaac Thottumkal, Cardinal Cleemis is the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. As President of the Synod of his Church, he has been instrumental in preserving the unique traditions and teachings of the Syro-Malankara community. Elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2012, his leadership has been pivotal in maintaining the spiritual journey of his Church. Cardinal Anthony Poola (Age 63) Appointed as the Archbishop of Hyderabad, Cardinal Poola made history as the first Dalit cardinal from India. His elevation is seen as a significant step towards inclusivity and equality within the Church, symbolising hope and progress for communities facing caste-based discrimination. Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad (Age 51) One of the youngest cardinal electors, Cardinal Koovakad hails from Changanassery, Kerala. He currently serves as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and holds the title of Cardinal-Deacon of S. Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia in Rome. His extensive diplomatic career includes service in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. Since 2020, he has been part of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, organizing several papal trips, including visits to Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan.
NDTV
22-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
These 4 Indian Cardinals Will Be In Conclave That Picks Next Pope
Vatican City: Following the death of the Pope, the Vatican will enter a nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale, an ancient Roman tradition that continues to this day. During this time, preparations will begin for the election of the next Pontiff. After the mourning period, the Cardinals will be called into Conclave to elect the next Vicar of Christ. Among the 135 cardinals currently eligible to vote in the Papal conclave, four are from India. These include Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Cardinal Anthony Poola, and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad. Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, 51, is the Cardinal-Deacon of S Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia and Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Cardinal Filipe Neri Antonio Sebastiao do Rosario Ferrao, 72, is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Goa and Daman (India), President of Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and President of Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. Cardinal Anthony Poola (63) is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal is the Major Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Syro-Malankara (India) and President of the Synod of the Syro-Malankara Church. As of April 19, there are 252 cardinals, out of whom 135 are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope. The colour of the smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney serves as a traditional signal during the papal conclave. Black smoke means the cardinals have not yet selected a new Pope, while white smoke indicates that a new Pope has been elected. Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, according to a statement from the Vatican. At 9:45 AM on Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, spoke these words at the Casa Santa Marta: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." Born in Buenos Aires, as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013, a papal conclave elected Cardinal Bergoglio as his successor on March 13. He chose Francis as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi.
