The 2025 papal conclave will have 133 cardinal electors participating. These are cardinals under the age of 80 who have not renounced or lost their voting rights, making them eligible to vote in the conclave. This number of 133 is the largest ever for a conclave and exceeds the traditional limit of 120 cardinal electors set by Pope Paul VI in 1975, but recent popes have appointed more electors, effectively superseding this limit
. Out of the 252 cardinals at the time of Pope Francis's death, 135 were eligible by age, but two did not attend, resulting in 133 participants. These electors come from more than 70 countries across all continents, with the largest group coming from Europe, followed by Asia and North America
. In summary:
- Total cardinal electors in the 2025 conclave: 133
- Eligibility: Cardinals under 80 years old at the time the papacy became vacant
- This number surpasses the previous maximum limit of 120 electors
- Cardinals come from a diverse international background
