As the Catholic Church prepares for the Conclave following the death of Pope Francis, Tuscany finds itself represented at the highest level of this historic process. Two cardinals with deep ties to the region will be among the 135 electors called to Rome to choose the next Bishop of Rome and spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide.
Cardinal Giuseppe Betori: From Florence to the Sistine Chapel
Cardinal Giuseppe Betori, Archbishop Emeritus of Florence, is one of the most senior Church figures in Italy. Born in Foligno in 1947, he led the Archdiocese of Florence from 2008 until 2024. Prior to that, he served as Secretary General of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), a role that placed him at the heart of Italian Catholic life. Though now retired from his Florentine post, his presence in the upcoming Conclave symbolizes a continuity between the Church in Tuscany and the Vatican.
Betori is a well-respected theologian and has long been involved in Vatican affairs. While he has maintained a lower public profile in recent years, his experience and deep understanding of the Italian Church could be influential in the deliberations to come.
Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice: A Bridge Between Rome and Siena
Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice, though born in Rome, is now deeply rooted in Tuscany. Since 2019, he has served as the Archbishop of Siena, overseeing a vast archdiocese that includes Colle Val d’Elsa, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Chiusi, and Pienza. Known for his close connection to Pope Francis, Lojudice was appointed bishop by the late pontiff in 2015 and elevated to the cardinalate in 2020.
His pastoral style echoes many of Francis’s own priorities—attention to the poor, inclusivity, and direct engagement with communities. As president of the Tuscan Bishops’ Conference, Lojudice represents a new generation of Church leaders shaped by the Francis era.
Beyond the Vote: Other Tuscan Cardinals
Though no longer eligible to vote due to age, several other prominent cardinals from Tuscany will still play important roles in the days leading up to the Conclave. These include Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, former head of the CEI and a key voice in the Italian Church; Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, born in Barga and once Secretary of the Synod of Bishops; and Cardinal Angelo Comastri of Sorano, who served for many years as Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica.
These senior figures will participate in the General Congregations—meetings held before the start of the Conclave—offering their insights and experience as the Church prepares for a new chapter.
Fact and Fiction: The Conclave Behind Closed Doors
The Conclave remains one of the most mysterious and spiritually intense rituals in the Catholic Church. While the 2024 film Conclave, based on the bestselling novel by Robert Harris, offers a fictionalized and suspenseful look inside the Sistine Chapel, the real event is far more solemn and tightly secured. No electronic devices are allowed, and the cardinals are bound by an oath of absolute secrecy. The process unfolds through prayer, theological reflection, and spiritual discernment.
Adding to the film’s visual richness is a remarkable contribution from Florence: all the jewelry worn by the cardinals—crosses, rings, and cufflinks—was handcrafted by the renowned Florentine goldsmith studio Bottega Orafa Paolo Penko. Working in collaboration with costume designer Lisy Christl, Penko’s workshop created over 500 bespoke pieces, which helped earn Conclave eight Oscar nominations, including one for Best Costume Design. The presence of such artisanal excellence highlights Florence’s continuing role in global cultural storytelling.
As for the real-life Conclave, the next pope will need to secure a two-thirds majority—at least 90 votes—among the 135 electors. Currently, 108 of them were appointed by Pope Francis, giving his theological and pastoral vision a lasting influence over the choice of his successor.
The Tuscan Legacy in the Church
Florence and Tuscany have long played a key role in the life of the Catholic Church, from the Renaissance popes to contemporary figures like Betori and Lojudice. As the cardinals gather in Rome—likely between May 5 and May 10—the voices from this region will continue to shape the future of the Church, drawing on centuries of religious tradition and a commitment to renewal.
The eyes of the world will soon turn to the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. When the white smoke rises, Tuscany will have once again left its mark on history.