In the wake of Pope Francis’s death, the College of Cardinals is preparing to enter conclave—an event that may reshape the future of the Roman Catholic Church. With 80% of the electors appointed by the late pontiff, the coming vote is unlike any before. Pope Francis was not only the first Jesuit and first Latin American pope, but also a transformative figure who shattered conventions by appointing cardinals from remote corners of
the world while bypassing traditional power centers. The result is a richly diverse electorate of 135 cardinals, 108 of whom he handpicked. As they gather in the Sistine Chapel for a secretive series of votes, the global makeup and varied theological views among them could produce an unexpected outcome—one that might change the face of Catholic leadership in ways no one quite anticipates…