With the Vatican making preparations for the dramatic papal conclave, four Indian cardinals are part of the 135 cardinal electors who will select the new head of the Catholic Church. Their involvement demonstrates India’s increasing role in world Catholic affairs and the vibrant Christian community in the country.
Indian cardinals—George Alencherry, Oswald Gracias, Baselios Cleemis, and Telesphore Toppo—cast a varied regional and theological shade over the milestone vote. Most notably, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, stands out as being a key advisor to Pope Francis and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.
The traditional conclave, centuries old, will have the cardinals sitting in the Sistine Chapel, voting in secrecy until that elusive two-thirds majority is achieved. The participation of Indian cardinals serves to highlight the Church’s changing focus toward Asia and the Global South, where Catholicism is on the march.
With the world holding its breath, the next pope’s election might redefine the Church’s future—and India’s cardinals could be among the key players in this historic moment. Will their ballots cast a vote for a more pluralistic papacy? Only behind the closed doors of the Vatican.
