American Cardinals at the Conclave 2025: Who are they?

Published 6 hours ago

For most of Church history, papal conclaves were dominated by European—and especially Italian—cardinals. The idea of a non-European pope, let alone an American one, seemed unthinkable. But times have changed.

10 American cardinals will walk into the Sistine Chapel as electors in the next conclave, bringing a wide range of experiences and perspectives that reflect the diversity of the Church in United States and Canada. From Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, a key voice for Pope Francis’s reforms, to Cardinal Raymond Burke, a champion of traditional liturgy and vocal critic of the current papacy, the American delegation spans the spectrum.

We also meet figures like Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, known for his pastoral outreach and work with migrants, and Cardinal Robert Prevost, the Vatican’s influential prefect for bishops. Meanwhile, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, once considered “papabile,” is now seen as a statesman able to rally moderates, while Cardinals Wilton Gregory and Robert McElroy advocate for a more inclusive Church.

Despite their growing influence in Vatican affairs, the prospect of an American pope remains slim, with many cardinals wary of electing a pontiff from the world’s superpower. Yet as the College of Cardinals prepares for the next chapter, the voices of these American leaders will help shape the future of the Church.

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List of the Cardinals in this video:
Cardinal John McCloskey
– First American cardinal, created in 1875.
Cardinal Blase Cupich (age 76)
– Archbishop of Chicago, elevated by Pope Francis in 2016; advocate for Francis’s pastoral reforms.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin (age 73)
– Archbishop of Newark; Redemptorist, known for pastoral outreach and migrant advocacy.
Cardinal Raymond Burke (age 76)
– Traditional, vocal critic of Pope Francis; calls for novenas for the Church’s future.
Cardinal Robert Prevost (age 69)
– Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops; Augustinian, born in Chicago, worked extensively in Peru.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell (age 77)
– Irish-born, Camerlengo (overseer of Church administration during a sede vacante); leads the College of Cardinals in practical matters.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan (age 75)
– Archbishop of New York; once considered papabile, now a key statesman and moderate voice.
Cardinal Robert McElroy (age 71)
– Archbishop of Washington, D.C.; advocate for women’s roles in the Church, progressive voice.
Cardinal Wilton Gregory (age 77)
– Retired; first African-American cardinal; former head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo (age 75)
– From Steubenville, Ohio; longest-serving American elector.
Cardinal James Harvey (age 75)
– Longtime Vatican diplomat; originally from Milwaukee