These Jesuit electors were appointed to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, whose papacy has been marked by a strong emphasis on discernment, social justice, and a Church that reaches out to those on the margins.
Cardinal Stephen Chow SJ, Bishop of Hong Kong, a voice for dialogue and education. Before becoming bishop, he served as provincial of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus and was supervisor of two Jesuit colleges in Hong Kong: Wah Yan College, Hong Kong and Wah Yan College, Kowloon. You can find out more about him here.
Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ, Prefect for the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and an advocate for migrants and environmental justice. Born in the former Czechoslovakia and raised in Canada, he co-founded the Jesuit Centre for Social Faith and Justice in Toronto and later worked closely with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Africa and Rome. You can find out more about him here.
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, Archbishop of Luxembourg and a key figure in the Synod on Synodality. He spent many years in Japan as a missionary and academic, served as rector of the Jesuit-run Sophia University in Tokyo, and was president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE). You can find out more about him here.
Cardinal Ángel Rossi SJ, Archbishop of Córdoba, Argentina, known for his grassroots pastoral work. Deeply shaped by Ignatian spirituality, he has served in numerous social and spiritual ministries in Argentina and was a close collaborator of then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio. You can find out more about him here.
Each brings not just ecclesial experience but deep Jesuit formation: discernment, humility, and a mission-oriented faith. Five other Jesuits are cardinals emeriti—over the age of 80 and therefore not eligible to vote in the conclave. They are Cardinals Pedro Barreto, Julius Darmaatmadja, Gianfranco Ghirlanda, Luis Ladaria, and Sigitas Tamkevičius.
Former Provincial Fr Damian Howard SJ offered a moving tribute to Francis in a recent BBC interview.
Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, speaking to LBC News, described Francis as “the right Pope for this time,” highlighting the distinctively Jesuit character of his papacy.
And in Scotland, Fr David Stewart SJ shared with BBC Radio Scotland how Pope Francis has powerfully connected with young adults through authenticity and compassion.
As the Church awaits the outcome of the conclave, Jesuits in Britain join others around the world in prayer: Come, Holy Spirit.
Banner photo by Marika Iaccarino on Unsplash
