Pope Francis' death initiated preparations for a conclave to elect his successor, drawing together cardinals from around the world. Of the 252 cardinals at the time of his death, 135 are electors, the majority of whom were appointed by Francis himself. This conclave stands out for its unprecedented global representation, featuring 70 countries compared to previous conclaves, which highlights Francis' legacy of inclusivity. Europe now comprises about 40% of electors, significantly less than its share of the global Catholic population, indicating a shift towards a more diverse church leadership.
According to the Vatican's tally, Pope Francis appointed 108 of the 135 cardinal electors, emphasizing his influence in shaping the College of Cardinals.
Gregg Gassman highlighted that under Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals reflects the global Catholic Church's diversity, making it the least European conclave ever.
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