Source: CNN
Technically, any Roman Catholic male can be elected pope. But since 1379, every pope has been selected from the College of Cardinals, the group casting the votes at the conclave.
Many of the cardinals are bishops and archbishops appointed by the pope to assist in religious issues. Some work at the Vatican, but most are spread out worldwide running dioceses or archdioceses.
When it’s time to vote for a new pope, every cardinal under the age of 80 travels to Rome to participate. In attendance this time will be 115 cardinals, 67 of whom were appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down last month at age 85.
Roll over the squares below to see the names of the cardinal electors and where they’re from, broken down by continent.
Categories: CHRISTIANITY, Europe, Italy, Vatican