Pope Francis has passed away, and the Catholic Church prepares for the papal conclave. Discover the four Indian Cardinals voting for Pope and their important roles within the Church.

Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88. With his death, the Catholic Church is preparing for a papal conclave, where Indian Cardinals eligible to vote for the next Pope will play a crucial role in selecting his successor.

Indian Cardinals Voting for Pope: Who Are They?

The papal conclave will convene soon, and among the cardinals eligible to vote, Indian Cardinals eligible to vote for the next Pope include Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Cardinal Cleemis Baselios, Cardinal Anthony Poola, and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad. Each of these influential figures will have a say in the future direction of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis, the 266th head of the Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed on Monday. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, made the announcement, stating that the Pope “returned to the home of the Father” at 7:35 AM. Pope Francis had dedicated his life to serving the Church and was known for his deep commitment to faith, humility, and advocating for social justice.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the first Jesuit and the first Latin American to assume the papacy. He was elected in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and served as a transformative leader, focusing on reforms within the Vatican, addressing clerical abuse, advocating for environmental causes, and supporting marginalized communities globally. His encyclical Laudato Si’, which urged action on climate change, was one of his key contributions to global discourse.

Roles of Indian Cardinals Voting for Pope in the Conclave

Each of the Indian Cardinals voting for Pope brings their unique perspectives and leadership qualities to the conclave. As trusted members of the College of Cardinals, their votes will help determine the next Pope and influence the direction of the Church’s future.

Election of the New Pope

With the passing of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church will convene a papal conclave to elect the next Pope. A group of 138 cardinals under the age of 80 will gather to cast their votes. The conclave will follow centuries-old traditions and will be conducted in the Sistine Chapel. Cardinal Kevin Farrell currently serves as the camerlengo, overseeing the process.

The election process involves multiple rounds of voting. Each cardinal writes down their preferred candidate on a ballot, which is then counted by three selected cardinals. Voting continues until one candidate receives a two-thirds majority. If no candidate is selected after several rounds, black smoke signals the continuation of voting. When a Pope is elected, white smoke rises, and the famous phrase “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”) is proclaimed.

Indian Cardinals Eligible to Vote

India currently has six cardinals, but only four are eligible to participate in the conclave as they are under the age of 80. Notably, Cardinals George Alencherry and Oswald Gracias, both aged 80, will not be able to vote. The four eligible cardinals from India represent diverse backgrounds and have significant roles within the Catholic Church. For official and in-depth coverage of the papal conclave and the election process of the next Pope, refer to Vatican News.

1. Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao (72)
   Cardinal Ferrao is the seventh patriarch of the East Indies and the Archbishop of Goa and Daman. Known for his advocacy on social justice, particularly in the areas of migration, climate change, and interreligious dialogue, he was promoted to the College of Cardinals in August 2022. His priesthood dates back to October 28, 1979, and his episcopal ordination occurred in 1994.
2. Cardinal Cleemis Baselios (64)
   Cardinal Baselios, born Isaac Thottumkal, is the Major Archbishop of Trivandrum and the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. He was made a Cardinal in 2012 and has been deeply involved in the spiritual and cultural growth of the Syro-Malankara community. His priesthood began on June 11, 1986, and he became a bishop in 2001.
3. Cardinal Anthony Poola (63)
   Cardinal Poola is India’s first Dalit Cardinal. His work has focused on advocating for the rights and welfare of underprivileged children. His elevation to the College of Cardinals is seen as a step toward addressing caste-based inequalities within the Church. He was appointed a Cardinal in 2022.
4. Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad (51)
   A Vatican diplomat and the Syro-Malabar Archbishop from Kerala, Cardinal Koovakad plays a significant role in the global Catholic community. He was instrumental in organizing Pope Francis’s international trips and was recently appointed as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Cardinal Koovakad’s priesthood began in 2004, and he was made a bishop in 2024.

These cardinals will play a crucial role in selecting the next Pope, continuing the legacy of service and leadership that Pope Francis embodied. As the Church mourns his loss, the world watches closely as the conclave begins the process of choosing a new leader for the Catholic faithful.

Stay updated with NewsAffair360 for more details on this important event.