Vatican City: All eyes are on the conclave that will begin on May 7 in the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican. Who will be elected as the next successor to Peter? The world is waiting for the outcome of that election, which will be realized according to the unpredictable decision of the Holy Spirit. Although the number of cardinals eligible to enter the conclave is 135, the number of cardinals with voting rights under the age of 80 will be 133 as two are abstaining for health reasons.
Of the 135 cardinals eligible to enter the conclave to elect four are Indians. It is also noteworthy that Malayalis have two cardinals to their credit. Cardinal Mar Baselios Clemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Cardinal Mar George Jacob Koovakkad, Archbishop of Changanassery, Cardinal Philip Neri, and Cardinal Anthony Poola are the cardinals from India who are under the age of 80 and have the right to vote.
Cardinal Mar George Koovakkad has the rare privilege of participating in the conclave that will be held just six months after his elevation to the rank of cardinal. On December 7, Pope Francis elevated 21 people, including Mar George Koovakkad, to the rank of cardinal, the second highest in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Cardinal George Koovakkad is also the head of the Vatican's dicastery for promoting harmony among different religions and accelerating dialogue for peace.
Baselios Cleemis was elevated to the rank of Cardinal of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church during the reign of Pope Benedict XVI. The official announcement was made on October 24, 2012. He was ordained as a Cardinal on November 24 of the same year. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis was also the youngest person among the Cardinals who participated in the conclave held in 2013. Cardinal Cleemis was 53 years old when he participated in the conclave that elected Pope Francis.
Pope Francis elevated Archbishop Philip Neri of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and Archbishop Anthony Poola of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad to the rank of cardinals. Both were elevated to the rank of cardinals at the consistory convened on August 27, 2022. Among the cardinals from India, Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, former president of the Syro-Malabar Church, and Cardinal Oswald Gracias, former Archbishop of Mumbai, are over 80 years old and do not have the right to vote in the election of the Pope this time.