Pakistani cardinal to participate in new Pope election after Francis’ demise

Karachi: Cardinal Joseph Coutts from Pakistan will also participate in the election of a new pope after the death of Pope Francis.

Pakistani Cardinal Joseph has said that the process of electing a new pope will begin after the funeral of Pope Francis. 135 cardinals from around the world, including Cardinal Joseph Coutts, will elect a new pope in Vatican City.

According to the report, Cardinal Joseph Coutts of the Roman Catholic Church hails from Karachi and was the Archbishop of Karachi before assuming the position of cardinal.

It should be noted that 88-year-old Pope Francis had a long-standing lung disease, but he continued to walk. He also gave a message on Easter.

After the death of a pope, a “conclave” is held in the Vatican, attended by cardinals under the age of 80. This meeting takes place in the Sistine Chapel, where voting continues until a two-thirds majority is reached to elect a pope. After each vote, the ballot papers are burned with special chemicals, producing a black or white smoke that can be seen from St. Peter’s Square.

Cardinal Joseph Coates, born in Amritsar on 21 July 1945, is a prominent Catholic leader in Pakistan. He served as Archbishop of Karachi from 2012 to 2021. He was appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis on 28 June 2018.

Although he is 79 years old, which makes him eligible to vote, European cardinals are usually preferred in papal elections. Nevertheless, his election would be a historic development, as he would be the first pope from South Asia.

It should be noted that cardinals under the age of 80 gather in the Vatican to elect a new pope. This gathering of cardinals is called a conclave.