The 2025 Papal Conclave is scheduled to commence on May 7, 2025, in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican after the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, and the Cardinals gather to elect the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church.
All Redemptorists are aware of our two current Redemptorist Cardinals about to enter conclave. Fr. Garry pens on the Redemptorist Cardinals − and if they participated in conclaves. Five other Redemptorist Cardinals have participated in one or more conclaves. Here are thumbnail details:
Victor-Auguste-Isidore Cardinal Dechamps, C.Ss.R. the first Redemptorist Cardinal, was professed a Redemptorist in 1836. He was appointed a Cardinal by Pope Plus IX on March 15, 1875, while Primate of Belgium and Archbishop of Michelin, Belgium. He was a 1st Vatican Council Father, and it is interesting to note Cardinal Deschamps had a particular zeal for two dogmas defined in his time, the Immaculate Conception, and Papal Infallibility. He participated in the conclave of 1878 that elected Pope Leo XIII.
Willem Marinus Cardinal van Rossum, C.Ss.R., from the Netherlands, was professed a Redemptorist in 1874. He was appointed a Cardinal by Pope Pius X on November 27, 1911. Interestingly, he was not ordained a bishop until 1918 when he was appointed to the powerful position of Prefect for the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. He participated in the conclave of 1914 that elected Benedict XV and the conclave of 1922 that elected Pope Pius XI. Cardinal van Rossum served as the Carmelengo in that 1922 conclave. Because of his ecclesiastical influence in the Vatican in that era he is sometimes described as “The Red Pope.”
José Clemente Cardinal Maurer, C.Ss.R., born in Prussia − in an area that is now part of Germany − was professed a Redemptorist on September 10, 1921. Missioned to Bolivia, he was appointed a Cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1967 while in long service as Archbishop of Sucre, Bolivia. He was the first Cardinal from Bolivia, and he attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council. He participated in the two conclaves of autumn 1978 that elected Blessed Pope John Paul I and, after his sudden death, St. Pope John Paul II on the Redemptorist feast of St. Gerard.
Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, C.Ss.R., born in Parur, India, was professed a Redemptorist in 1947. He was appointed a Cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II while serving as the Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabar Rite. This eastern Uniate rite is proud to trace its origin back to the Apostle Thomas. Cardinal Varkey participated in the conclave of 2005 that elected Pope Benedict XVI.
Julio Cardinal Terrazas Sandoval, C.Ss.R. was born in Vallegrande, Bolivia. He was professed a Redemptorist in 1957. He was appointed a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in the same consistory of 2001 as Cardinal Varkey. At the time Cardinal Julio was serving as Archbishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. He participated in two conclaves, the conclave of 2005 that elected Benedict XVI and the conclave of 2013 that elected Pope Francis.
Further explore these fascinating Redemptorist Cardinals and current worldwide Cardinals at Wikipedia and www.Catholic-Hierarchy.com
Redemptorists worldwide are praying and holding vigil for our current Redemptorist Cardinals: American Joseph Tobin (named Cardinal in 2016) and Ukrainian Mykola Bychok (appointed in December and the youngest member of the College of Cardinals) as they enter conclave to elect the successor of Pope Francis and the Vicar of Christ on earth.
Gary Ziuraitis, C.Ss.R.
