Math

The Vatican's papal conclave, tasked with selecting a new spiritual leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, is steeped in time-honored procedures and rituals that have been refined over centuries. Yet, this year’s conclave presents a unique mathematical landscape that will surely influence the outcome of the election: 133 Cardinal-Electors A record 133 cardinals are eligible to participate in this conclave, an increase from the 115 cardinals involved in the last two conclaves of 2005 and 2013. This diverse group…