Cardinal Vincent Nichols prepares for his first papal conclave with a vision of church reform that balances tradition with inclusivity, while the Catholic leadership faces a sweeping generational change.
At a Glance
- Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, describes the upcoming papal conclave as “intimidating” as he joins the most diverse College of Cardinals in history
- 2025 marks a significant generational turnover in the Catholic Church with 14 cardinals leaving the list of electors and numerous leadership positions changing
- Nichols emphasizes the importance of listening to cardinals from diverse backgrounds to understand global church issues
- The Cardinal stresses the need for the church to support sexual abuse survivors and address its role as a perpetrator
A Church at a Crossroads
The Catholic Church stands at a pivotal moment of transition as Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, prepares to participate in his first papal conclave. Appointed cardinal by Pope Francis in 2014, Nichols joins what has become the most diverse College of Cardinals in Church history. The conclave, which will select the next pope, comes amid an unprecedented wave of leadership changes throughout the global Catholic hierarchy. By the end of 2025, seven cardinal residential bishops and eight cardinal heads of dicasteries will have reached or exceeded the retirement age of 75, signaling a dramatic generational shift in Church leadership.
The Roman Curia itself is undergoing significant reorganization, with Pope Francis having already initiated substantial changes in the Diocese of Rome. Several auxiliary bishops have been reassigned to other roles within Italy or the Vatican, while three major archiepiscopal sees—Washington, Vienna, and Mumbai—have seen successions. This widespread transition represents one of the most extensive leadership changes in recent Church history, potentially reshaping Catholic priorities and approaches for decades to come.
Reflection and Diversity in the Conclave
Cardinal Nichols has been forthright about the weighty responsibility of selecting a new pope, describing the task as intimidating. However, he anticipates that once the conclave begins, the atmosphere will shift dramatically. “When those doors shut, all of the speculation and way of talking about this as oppositional, you know, conservative against liberal and all of that stuff — that will finish, and there’ll be much more a mood of reflection,” Nichols explained.
During the conclave, the cardinals will be completely sequestered from outside communication—no phones, no media, and no contact with the outside world until a new pope is elected by a two-thirds majority. The process typically lasts two to three days but can extend longer. Nichols, showing his practical side, has packed extra socks in preparation for a potentially extended stay. The conclave’s isolation creates an environment focused solely on prayer, discussion, and discernment, free from external pressures or influences.
Addressing Church Challenges
While preparing for the conclave, Cardinal Nichols has emphasized the need for the Church to face its failures, particularly regarding sexual abuse. He has stressed the importance of listening to and supporting survivors, acknowledging the Church’s role as a perpetrator of abuse. This position aligns with Pope Francis’s efforts to increase accountability and transparency within the Church hierarchy regarding abuse cases. The issue remains one of the most significant challenges facing the next pope, as rebuilding trust continues to be a central concern for Catholics worldwide.
“I think being chosen pope is a mini kind of death. Whoever is chosen pope will never go home again. They’ll lose every last vestige of privacy. His whole life will then be taken over — for good purpose… But it’s a kind of total surrender.”, said Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
The College of Cardinals itself is undergoing unprecedented changes. In 2025, 14 cardinals will leave the list of electors due to age, and for the first time, the five-year term of the dean and sub-dean of the College will expire.
Additionally, several cardinal deacons have the option to become cardinal presbyters after 10 years of service, potentially changing traditional roles such as the cardinal protodeacon. These structural changes coincide with the more visible leadership transitions, creating a moment of significant evolution within Catholicism’s highest levels of authority.
