Pope Francis' health condition sparks papal conclave talks: 4 Indian cardinals could vote for next Pope

The 2013 papal election led to the appointment of Pope Francis. (File photo/Reuters)

As Pope Francis continues to get treatment for double pneumonia and remains in critical condition after his admission to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, discussions about the future leadership of the Church and the potential for a papal conclave have intensified.

If convened, 138 cardinals will be eligible to vote, including four from India.

Only cardinals under 80 are allowed to vote in the papal conclave, according to Catholic Church regulations. The historic election process will see participation of Indian cardinals. Around 138 of the 252 cardinals worldwide are currently eligible for the process, according to the College of Cardinals Report website.

While the Vatican on Monday said the Pope showed slight improvement, doctors have said his condition remains critical, given his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease, according to The Associated Press.

This has led to intensified discussions about the Church’s future leadership and preparations for a potential papal conclave.

What is a papal conclave?

The only time papal power changes hands is when a pope dies or resigns. The camerlengo or chamberlain will organise the papal conclave in the Sistine Chapel, following centuries-old traditions. The position is currently held by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the head of the Vatican’s laity office.

All voting cardinals must first take an oath of secrecy before being cut off from the outside world. In rounds of deliberation and voting, each cardinal writes the name of their preferred candidate on a ballot.

The ballots are folded and put in a chalice with Michelangelo’s Last Judgement fresco underneath. Three cardinals are chosen to record and count the votes.

Four rounds of voting take place each day until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The ballots are burnt with chemicals on a special stove within the chapel if no candidate earned the necessary number of votes. Black smoke rises from the chimney, indicating that voting will continue.

White smoke is released upon the election of a pope, and the famous Latin phrase “Habemus Papam,” which translates to “We have a Pope,” is used to proclaim the new pope.

The 2013 papal election led to the appointment of Pope Francis.

Here's a look at 4 Indian cardinals

While there are six cardinals in India, Cardinals Oswald Gracias, 80, and George Alencherry,79, will soon surpass the age to vote. Alencherry will no longer be eligible to vote after April 19, 2025.

The four other Indian cardinals, who will be eligible to vote to choose the next pope, has a significant role in the Catholic Church and comes from a variety of backgrounds.

- Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, the 72-year-old Archbishop of Goa and Daman, is well-known for his efforts in interfaith cooperation and social justice. He was ordained to priesthood on October 28, 1979, the Episcopate on April 10, 1994 and was elevated to the College of Cardinals on August 27, 2022.

- Cardinal Cleemis Baselios, 64, is the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church's Major Archbishop-Catholicos. He was promoted to cardinal in 2012.

- Cardinal Anthony Poola, 63, is an Indian prelate dedicated to helping children out of poverty and whose elevation to the College of Cardinals has been viewed as a step towards addressing the inequalities of the caste system. He is India’s first Dalit cardinal.

- Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, 51, is an archbishop of Syro-Malabar and a Vatican diplomat who has coordinated the Pope's travels abroad from 2021 until his appointment as prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in January 2025. He was ordained to priesthood on July 24, 2004, the Episcopate on November 24, 2024 and elevated to the College of Cardinals on December 7, 2024.