As of May 8, 2025, there are 251 cardinals in the Catholic Church. Among them, 134 are cardinal electors, meaning they are under the age of 80 and eligible to vote in a papal conclave
. The College of Cardinals is divided into three orders: cardinal bishops, cardinal priests, and cardinal deacons, each with distinct roles and ranks
. This total number of 251 cardinals is slightly reduced from 252 due to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost becoming Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025
. The number of cardinal electors (those eligible to vote) can fluctuate as cardinals turn 80 or new cardinals are created by the pope
. In summary:
- Total cardinals: 251
- Cardinal electors (under 80 years old, eligible to vote): 134
This is the current composition of the Catholic Church's College of Cardinals as of early May 2025
