The College of Cardinals, also called the Sacred College of Cardinals, is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church. As of 21 April 2025, there are 252 cardinals, of whom 135 are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope. Appointed by the pope, cardinals serve for life, but become ineligible to participate in a papal conclave if they turn 80 before a papal vacancy occurs.
With the death of Pope Francis at age 88, the world now turns its attention to what comes next for the Catholic Church. What is the..