ACI MENA, May 8, 2025 /
10:50 am
As the conclave to elect a new pope continues, the presence of six cardinals currently serving in the Middle East and North Africa has drawn significant attention along with four others from Eastern Churches.
This paradigm shift reflects the profound transformation within the Catholic Church, as it increasingly emphasizes broader representation from the global peripheries and strengthens its commitment to addressing critical spiritual and humanitarian challenges — from political violence to interfaith dialogue and support for the poor and marginalized.
Here are the Middle Eastern cardinals participating in the conclave:
Cardinal Louis Sako (Iraq)
Born in Iraq in 1948, Sako became patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in 2013 and was appointed cardinal on June 28, 2018. He is regarded as an influential theological voice who has approached the history of the Church of the East through a scholarly lens, transcending ethnic and nationalist tensions. A strong advocate for the ecumenical movement and Church unity, Sako has recently faced various challenges both within his Church and in his relationships with some Iraqi political figures.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Jerusalem)
Born in Italy in 1965, Pizzaballa is a member of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans). At just 39, he was appointed custodian of the Holy Land. Named Latin patriarch of Jerusalem in 2020, he was elevated to cardinal on Sept. 30, 2023. He has earned recognition for his dedication to his faithful and his unwavering public statements defending the Church and its members when they face attacks.
Cardinal Mario Zenari (Syria)
Born in Italy in 1946, Zenari was appointed apostolic nuncio to Syria in 2008 — a position he still holds today. He was elevated to cardinal on Nov. 19, 2016. While papal nuncios typically do not become cardinals, Pope Francis made an exception, highlighting his extraordinary trust in Zenari. The cardinal has worked diligently to strengthen consecrated life in Syria while bringing international attention to the Syrian people’s suffering.
Cardinal Dominique Mathieu (Iran)
Born in Belgium in 1963, Mathieu is part of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. After arriving in Lebanon in 2013, he was appointed archbishop of Tehran and Isfahan. Known for his expertise in interfaith dialogue, his empathy with causes in the Islamic world, and his persistent calls for global leaders to reject “policies of hegemony,” Mathieu was made cardinal on Dec. 7, 2024.
Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco (Algeria)
Born in France in 1962, Vesco completed his studies in Jerusalem before moving to Algeria, where he helped revitalize the Dominican presence in the Diocese of Oran. He currently serves as archbishop of Algiers and was made cardinal by Pope Francis on Dec. 7, 2024. Vesco is known for his progressive views, particularly regarding family and women’s issues. A strong advocate for interreligious dialogue and the rejection of war, he has been vocal in opposing conflicts, including the war in Gaza. In an unusual move, the Algerian president granted him Algerian citizenship in 2023.
Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero (Morocco)
Born in Spain in 1952, López Romero joined the Salesian order and became archbishop of Rabat in 2018. He prominently welcomed Pope Francis during the pontiff’s visit to Morocco the following year — the same year he was elevated to cardinal (Oct. 5, 2019). His diverse diocese includes believers from 100 different nationalities. Open to ecumenical efforts and interfaith dialogue, López Romero believes migration stems from fundamental systemic problems rather than being a crisis itself and has proposed holding a synod dedicated to this topic.
Other cardinals from Eastern Churches
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In addition to these six, the conclave includes four cardinals from Eastern Churches who serve outside the Middle East and North Africa.
From India, there is Baselios Cleemis, archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and George Jacob Koovakad, head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
Also participating in this conclave are Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, archbishop of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Mykola Bychok, bishop of the Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in Melbourne, Australia.
Notably, some cardinals in the conclave were born in the Arab world, such as Dominique Mamberti, born in Marrakesh (Morocco), and Jean-Marc Aveline, archbishop of Marseille, France, who was born in Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria. Fernando Natalio Chomali Garib, archbishop of Santiago, Chile, who is of Palestinian descent, is also participating.
Souheil Lawand is a staff writer at ACI MENA as well as a researcher in Roman and Christian history. a Church educator and a scout leader.
