There are 133 cardinals in the current papal conclave as electors, which is the group actually locked in to vote for the new pope.

Quick Scoop: Key Facts

  • 133 cardinal electors (those under 80 who can vote) are taking part.
  • This is the highest number of electors ever to participate in a conclave, surpassing the traditional guideline of a 120‑cardinal limit.
  • In total, the College of Cardinals worldwide is larger (around 250+), but only those under 80 and able to travel actually enter the conclave as electors.

So when people ask “how many cardinals are in the conclave,” they usually mean the electors inside the Sistine Chapel, and that number is 133 for the latest conclave.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.