The College of Cardinals Report
Who they are.
Where they stand.
The Papabili
12 leading Cardinal Candidates to be Pope
Cardinal Robert Sarah
Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
The Conclave:
Its History and Nature
Learn about the cardinalate — how its roots go back to ancient Jewish practice and how it later developed into a pivotal component of the Catholic hierarchy. Discover the roles of present-day cardinals which include advising the Roman pontiff, overseeing dioceses, and, above all, electing a pope. Understand the nature of a conclave and how it works. And learn about the qualities needed to be a pope, drawing on historical guidance from figures such as St. Bernard of Clairvaux.
Map & Stats
Cardinals
by Country and Continent
Using this interactive map, discover the geographical breakdown of the cardinals worldwide, what proportion of the Sacred College comes from each country and continent, and other important statistics.
Launch the map