Everything You Need to Know About the 133 Cardinal Electors: Countries, Ages & Orders Explained

VATICAN, 30 April 2025: As of now, the College of Cardinals includes 135 electors—those under 80 eligible to vote in a conclave—representing 71 countries across five continents. Of these, 108 were appointed by Pope Francis, demonstrating his transformative impact. Twenty-two were created by Pope Benedict XVI, and five by St. John Paul II. 

Global South Comes Into Focus

Pope Francis rebalanced the Eurocentric College, bringing new representation from the Global South. Twelve countries now have native cardinal electors for the first time, including:

• Haiti – Chibly Langlois

• Cape Verde – Arlindo Furtado

• Central African Republic – Dieudonné Nzapalainga

• Papua New Guinea – John Ribat

• Malaysia – Sebastian Francis

• Sweden – Anders Arborelius

• Luxembourg – Jean-Claude Hollerich

• Timor Leste – Virgilio do Carmo da Silva

• Singapore – William Seng Chye Goh

• Paraguay – Adalberto Martínez

• South Sudan – Stephen Ameyu

• Serbia – Ladislav Nemet

Continental Breakdown

Despite the global shift, Europe remains the most represented, with 53 electors, including 19 Italians, 6 French, and 5 Spanish. Some serve globally as curial officials or apostolic nuncios.

The full breakdown of cardinal electors by region is:

• Europe: 53

• Americas: 37 (North: 16, Central: 4, South: 17)

• Asia: 23

• Africa: 18

• Oceania: 4

Non-European cardinals now outnumber Europeans, emphasising the Church’s global character. The Americas, particularly Latin America, hold substantial influence.

Age Profile: Youngest to Eldest

The youngest elector is Mikola Bychok (Australia), age 45. The oldest is Carlos Osoro Sierra (Spain), age 79.

Most were born in the 1940s (50 electors), followed by:

• 47 in the 1950s

• 31 in the 1960s

• 6 in the 1970s

1947 is the most common birth year, with 13 cardinals.

Religious Orders in the College

f the 135 electors, 33 belong to 18 religious orders. The most represented are:

Salesians: 5

Franciscans (OFM): 4

Jesuits: 4

Two each belong to the Dominicans, Redemptorists, and Divine Word Missionaries. Additionally, there is one representative each from the Augustinians, Capuchins, Discalced Carmelites, Cistercians, Claretians, Pius X Secular Institute, Lazarists, Consolata Missionaries, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Scalabrinians, and Spiritans.

Two Cardinals Will Not Attend

Due to health issues, two cardinals will not attend, bringing the voting total to 133.

A Decisive Moment for a Global Church

As the May 7 conclave approaches, these 133 cardinal electors carry the hopes of a global Church. Their diverse voices and shared faith will help discern the next pope—one who will guide Catholicism into its next chapter.

Courtesy: Vatican News