As the conclave convened on May 7 to elect the next pope, five cardinal electors stand out for their deep experience and long-standing service within the Church. These seasoned churchmen bring not only institutional knowledge but also a steady hand shaped by decades of pastoral and ecclesial leadership.
Among them, Cardinal Vinko Puljić holds the distinction of being the longest-serving member of the College of Cardinals among those eligible to vote. Elevated to the cardinalate in 1994, he brings nearly 31 years of experience to this conclave. Now 79, Puljić participates just months before reaching the age of 80, after which he would lose voting eligibility. Known for his leadership during the Bosnian War and his commitment to peace and human rights, he also served as president of the bishops’ conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Four other cardinals—Peter Turkson, Philippe Barbarin, Péter Erdő, and Josip Bozanić—were made cardinals in 2003 and are now taking part in their third conclave, having already voted in both the 2005 and 2013 elections.
Cardinal Turkson, from Ghana, is a respected biblical scholar and advocate for social justice. Formerly head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and later the first prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development, he has been a prominent voice on issues of equity, sustainability, and ethics.
French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, the former Archbishop of Lyon, has a background in theology and missionary work. Though briefly entangled in legal controversy in 2019, he was acquitted on appeal in 2020 and remains a respected theological voice within the Church. Born in colonial-era Morocco, Barbarin's service spans academia, mission work, and episcopal leadership.
Cardinal Péter Erdő of Hungary is not only the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest but also an esteemed academic in canon law, with over 250 publications to his name. His leadership within both the Hungarian and European bishops’ conferences has made him a central figure in ecclesiastical governance and doctrinal matters.
From Croatia, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, former Archbishop of Zagreb, has been a bridge between Church and state in his homeland. Known for championing justice and reconciliation, he played a key role in the Croatian bishops’ conference and in promoting peace during a time of national transition.
As the Church prepares to turn a new page, these five veteran cardinals lend a wealth of experience, theological depth, and global perspective to one of the most sacred and consequential tasks in Catholicism: choosing the next pope.