While Catholics make up just 3% of Asia’s vast population of 4.5 billion, they account for about 11% of the world’s Catholic population. The Philippines, notably, stands as the world’s third-largest Catholic nation, with 93 million faithful—about 80% of all Southeast Asian Catholics.
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In the upcoming conclave, the Asia-Pacific region will be represented by 24 cardinal electors from 18 countries: Australia, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Tonga. Remarkably, Pope Francis has visited 11 of these nations, and all but three of these cardinals were created by him, reflecting his enduring legacy as a “pope of firsts.” Many of these countries, including East Timor, Mongolia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Tonga, and Singapore, are represented in the College of Cardinals for the first time.
India leads the Asian contingent with four cardinals, followed by the Philippines with three and Japan with two. Among them is Cardinal Anthony Poola, India’s first Dalit cardinal, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, a prominent figure on many papabile lists. Japan’s cardinals, Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi and Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda, bring both missionary zeal and pastoral experience.
From Southeast Asia, leaders like Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar and Cardinal William Goh Seng Chye of Singapore stand out for their roles in promoting dialogue and evangelization. Malaysia’s Cardinal Sebastian Francis and Indonesia’s Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo have emerged as key voices for interreligious understanding.
The Pacific brings its own distinctive voices, including Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi of Tonga and Cardinal John Ribat of Papua New Guinea, both known for their environmental advocacy. New Zealand’s Cardinal John Dew and Australia’s youngest cardinal, Mykola Bychok, representing Ukrainian Catholics, add further diversity.
The late Cardinal George Pell of Australia, who died in early 2023, remains a significant absence. Pell, once a towering figure in the global Church, was known for his economic reform efforts in the Vatican.
Together, these Asian and Pacific cardinals reflect a Church navigating secularism, religious pluralism, and cultural diversity. As Catholicism continues to grow in these regions, these leaders bring vital perspectives to the global Church, offering hope and resilience in often challenging environments.
Adapted by Jacob Stein
