As of May 16, 2025, the Catholic Church has 251 or 252 cardinals in total, depending on the source, with 133 to 135 of them being cardinal electors eligible to vote in a papal conclave (cardinals under the age of 80)
. The slight variation in total numbers is due to recent deaths and appointments. The College of Cardinals is divided into three orders:
- Cardinal bishops
- Cardinal priests
- Cardinal deacons
Among these cardinals, only those younger than 80 years old can participate as electors in the conclave that elects a new pope
. In summary:
- Total cardinals: approximately 251–252
- Cardinal electors (under 80 years old): about 133–135
This is the largest number of cardinal electors in the history of the Catholic Church, surpassing previous limits set by earlier popes
