By Fr. Vincent Iwuchukwu
On 7 May 2025, the Catholic Church convened for one of its most revered and solemn traditions: the conclave to elect a new pope. This conclave, however, was distinct from its predecessors. With over three-quarters of the 135 cardinal electors appointed by Pope Francis, the gathering reflected a profound transformation in the Church’s leadership—one that shifts the balance of influence from traditional European strongholds toward the global South and the world’s peripheries. During his twelve-year papacy, Pope Francis worked intentionally to reshape the College of Cardinals into a more inclusive, globally representative body. His appointments brought in voices from regions long underrepresented in Vatican decision-making—especially from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. The result is a less Euro-centric and more global conclave than any in the Church’s history.
From the Center to the Margins
Pope Francis repeatedly emphasized the need for a Church that listens to the “peripheries”—not just in a geographic sense, but in a social and spiritual one. This vision extended to his selection of cardinals. Instead of elevating figures from the world’s largest or most influential dioceses, he chose men who served in remote or conflict-ridden regions, in economically struggling countries, or in places of quiet but steadfast faith. Now, that vision is reflected numerically and symbolically. Only about 13% of electors came from Italy, a stark contrast to the conclaves of the 20th century. Africa was represented by 18 electors, including cardinals from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and South Africa. Asia had 23 electors, including representatives from countries like the Philippines, India, and Mongolia. Latin America contributed 17 electors, carrying forward the continent’s long-standing Catholic identity and social justice focus. Even small nations like East Timor, represented by Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, had a voice in selecting the next pope.
Notable Voices in the Conclave
As the Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Cardinal Parolin was considered a leading candidate for the papacy. Another key figure was the Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah known for his traditional and conservative bent. Some of the prominent figures who reflected this global character include: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) – Former Archbishop of Manila and current Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Tagle is seen as a bridge between Asia and the Vatican. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline (France) – As Archbishop of Marseille, a city shaped by migration and multiculturalism, Aveline represents Europe’s evolving religious landscape. Cardinal Wilton Gregory (USA) – The first African-American cardinal, he brings a voice for racial justice and inclusion from the United States. Cardinal Peter Turkson (Ghana) – A longtime advocate for global equity, Turkson has been a leader in articulating Catholic social teaching on economics and ecology.
The Rise of Cardinal Robert Prevost “Pope Leo XIV” from the margins
The election of Cardinal Robert Prevost, the first Augustinian and U.S Pope, was an enduring testament of Pope Francis’ legacy of an all-inclusive church leadership. Although born in Chicago, the new bishop of Rome spent many years as a missionary in Peru before being elected as head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms. He entirely served as a missionary. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru from 2015 to 2023. On January 30 2023, Pope Francis called him to Rome as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, which saw him promoted to the rank of Archbishop. Pope Francis created him cardinal in the Consistory of September 30, 2023. Cardinal Prevost as a missionary has transversed the length and breath of the world.
East Timor: A Symbol of the Margins
The presence of Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva of East Timor at the 2025 Conclave carried particular weight. Pope Francis visited the small, devoutly Catholic country in 2024, drawing hundreds of thousands to Mass in Dili and spotlighting the dignity of even the smallest nations. Following Francis’s death in April 2025, East Timor declared seven days of national mourning, and over 300,000 Timorese attended a requiem Mass—underscoring the profound bond between the pope and the people on the world’s edge.
A Turning Point for the Church
This conclave was not only a moment to elect a new leader—it was a reflection of Pope Francis’s enduring legacy. His appointments have reoriented the Church away from the traditional centers of power and toward a more universal, compassionate, and outward-looking identity. This new pope was elected by a body that looks more like the global Church itself. In this conclave, presence has replaced prestige, and the margins have moved to the center.
Note: although written before the Conclave it was adapted to suit the post conclave time.
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