Hyderabad: Cardinal Poola Anthony of Hyderabad will enter the Papal conclave as one of India’s four electors, alongside Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis from Trivandrum, and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad from Changanassery.
According to reports, 15 Cardinals are among the potential favourites to become the next Pope, known as the “papabili”, divided by region. There are a total of 135 electors.
At Cardinal Anthony’s elevation ceremony, Cardinal Oswald Gracias from Mumbai had remarked that “Archbishop Poola possesses all the qualities needed in a pope and enjoys excellent rapport with his fellow cardinals.” Echoing this view, Fr Raju Alex, deputy secretary of the Telugu Catholic Bishops’ Council, said, “Our Cardinal will cast his vote in the conclave and, God willing, could himself be chosen to occupy the Chair of Peter.”
Fr Alex noted that two-thirds of the electors were appointed by Pope Francis, “reflecting his vision of a more inclusive Church.” “Roughly two to three weeks after a pope’s death, the Cardinals gather in Rome and file into the Sistine Chapel beneath Michelangelo’s soaring frescoes. When the master of ceremonies proclaims “extra omnes” — “all out” — everyone except the voting cardinals and a few designated aides exits. The doors are then sealed, and the conclave begins,” Fr Alex added.
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