Two out of ten U.S. cardinals in the pope conclave are from the tri-state area.

Two cardinals from the Tristate area, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York City and Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, are key participants in the ongoing conclave responsible for electing the next pope. This conclave represents a historic moment for the Catholic Church, being the most geographically diverse in its history, with 133 voting cardinals hailing from 70 countries assembling at the Vatican to make decisions that will affect the spiritual leadership of approximately 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.

Of the 252 total cardinals, 135 are eligible to participate in the voting process. However, two cardinals have withdrawn from the conclave for health-related reasons, and 117 cardinals are over the age of 80, exceeding the age limit for voting.

The conclave’s outcomes might also serve as a referendum on the progressive policies previously advocated by Pope Francis, but the primary goal remains to elect a leader who can unify the church, promote peace, and serve effectively as both pastor and teacher.

Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, who serves as the Metropolitan Archbishop of New York, was born in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1950 and was ordained as a priest in 1976. After an extensive career in various roles within the Catholic Church, including a seven-year tenure as the Archbishop of Milwaukee, Dolan became the Archbishop of New York in 2009. He was named a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 and played a role in electing Pope Francis the following year. While often regarded as a conservative figure, Dolan has made efforts to be inclusive toward LGBTQ Catholics, despite facing criticism regarding his handling of sexual abuse cases within the church.

Cardinal Joseph William Tobin, the Archbishop of Newark, was born in Detroit in 1952 and ordained in 1978. Appointed Archbishop of Indianapolis in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, he subsequently became the Archbishop of Newark on November 7, 2016, and received the title of cardinal on November 19 of that year. A prominent advocate for migrant rights, Tobin’s commitment to social justice issues aligns with the values emphasized by Pope Francis.

The conclave also includes eight additional cardinals from across the United States, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences. Among them is Cardinal Raymond Burke, known for his traditionalist views, and Cardinal Blasé Cupich of Chicago, who has worked closely with Pope Francis on various reforms, particularly in response to the clergy sex abuse crisis. Other notable cardinals include Wilton Gregory, the first Black U.S. cardinal appointed by Francis, and Robert McElroy, who has openly criticized policies he views as incompatible with Catholic doctrine.

As the conclave continues, the decisions made by these influential leaders will shape the future direction of the Catholic Church, navigating the balance between tradition and modern values.