The 5 cardinals with more experience in conclaves

With the start of the conclave on May 7, there are five voters who provide a significant experience to the process.

Four voters – the Cardinals Peter Turksson, Philippe Barbarin, Péter Erdő and Josip Bozanić – became members of the Cardinal College in 2003 and have participated in two conclaves before it.

He Cardenal Vinko PuljicArchbishop Emeritus from Sarajevo, received the Cardinal Birrete in 1994, which makes him the voter for more years – almost 31 – as a cardinal. He has also participated in two conclaves: that of 2005 who chose Benedict XVI and 2013 who chose Francisco.

At 79, Puljić can vote in the 2025 conclave by a margin of just four months. On September 8 he will turn 80 and lose the privilege of choosing the Pope.

As Archbishop Emeritus of Sarajevo, he is known for his role during the war in Bosnia, where he distinguished himself as a voice for peace and a human rights defender. He was also president of the Episcopal Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a long time.

He Cardenal Peter Turkson76, he was the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences since 2022.

Biblical scholar and influential voice in social justice, the Ghanaian had his first position in the Vatican as president of the Pontifical Council Justice and Peace from 2009 to 2017. Then, Pope Francis chose him as an inaugural prefect of the Dicasterio for the Service of the Integral Human Development of 2017 to 2021.

He Cardenal Philippe Barbarin74, he is originally from France, where he was archbishop of Lyon from 2002 to 2020. In 2020, he was acquitted in appeal of a 2019 conviction for not denouncing sexual abuse.

Born in Rabat (Morocco), when he was French protectorate, he served as a missionary in Madagascar and theology professor. He was Bishop of Moulins from 1998 to 2002.

He Peter Cardenal Forest72, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and Primado de Hungary, is a canonist and academic who has led for years the episcopal conferences of Hungary and Europe. He is the author of more than 250 studies in the fields of canon law and spirituality. In addition to the conclaves of 2005 and 2013, he has participated in several synods.

He Cardenal Josip Bozanić76, Archbishop Emeritus of Zagreb (Croatia), was an outstanding figure in the dialogue between the Church in Croatia and the State, and in the promotion of justice and peace. It was also for many years president of the Croatian Episcopal Conference.

Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA.