Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, as announced by the Vatican on April 21, 2025. The first pontiff from Latin America, he passed away at his residence in Casa Santa Marta on Monday. The pope had been in and out of the hospital in recent months, and his health had clearly been in decline. He was admitted on February 14 for bronchitis and was later diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. The Vatican also revealed that he had undergone blood transfusions due to low platelet levels, a condition linked to anaemia. After fighting through various health issues, the pope took his last breath at 7:35 a.m. CEST on April 21, 2025, at his residence in Vatican City.
The pope's death begins the official nine days of mourning, called the Novendiale. What happens next? Following the pope’s death, or resignation, as seen with Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican will convene a papal conclave. The College of Cardinals will then gather in the Sistine Chapel to select the next leader of the Catholic Church. But who are the Indian cardinals who will vote for the new pope? Take a look.
A total of six cardinals are there, with one aged 80, one 79, and the rest below 80. Each plays a role in various aspects of the Catholic Church's mission. These cardinals include leaders in family ministry, social justice, and interreligious dialogue. Some have been appointed for their efforts in addressing caste-based inequalities, while others have served in key roles such as Vatican diplomats and organisers of papal events. These cardinals will play a significant role in the papal conclave following the passing of Pope Francis.
Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad (51)
Cardinal Koovakad, a trained Vatican diplomat and Syro-Malabar Archbishop from Kerala, previously organized Pope Francis’ international travels. In January 2025, he was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and became a cardinal on 7 December 2024.
Cardinal Anthony Poola (63)
As India's first Dalit cardinal, Cardinal Poola is dedicated to uplifting underprivileged children and addressing caste-based inequalities. He was appointed a cardinal in 2022.
Cardinal Cleemis Baselios (64)
Cardinal Baselios, born Isaac Thottumkal, holds the position of Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and leads the Archdiocese of Trivandrum. He became a cardinal on 24 November 2012.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão (72)
Serving as the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Cardinal Ferrão is also the seventh Patriarch of the East Indies. He is recognized for his contributions to family ministry, social justice, and interreligious dialogue. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals on 27 August 2022.
Cardinal George Alencherry (80)
Major Archbishop Emeritus of Ernakulam-Angamaly for the Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Alencherry was appointed a cardinal in 2012. He will lose his voting rights on 19 April 2025 upon turning 80.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias (80)
The Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Gracias was ordained in 1970 and was elevated to cardinal in 2007. He holds advanced degrees in canon law and jurisprudence.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, who is 80 years old as of April 21, 2025, is no longer eligible to vote in the papal conclave because cardinals lose their voting rights upon reaching the age of 80 before the day the papal seat becomes vacant. Similarly, Cardinal George Alencherry, who also turned 80 on April 19, 2025, will no longer be able to vote. Since the Pope passed away on April 21, 2025, both cardinals are now over the age limit and thus cannot participate as electors in the upcoming conclave.