The college of cardinals that will elect the next head of the Roman Catholic Church will include four cardinals from India, including a Dalit. Archbishop of Hyderabad Anthony Poola, a 62-year-old who hails from Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, is among 138 cardinals eligible to vote for the next Pope.
The three others are Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferro, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad.
Anthony Poola was appointed as the Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Protomartiri a Via Aurelia Antica by Pope Francis on August 27, 2022, making him not only the only Telugu person but also the only Dalit appointed to the College of Cardinals of the Roman Pontiff, which guides the Pope on various matters. Anthony Poola also holds veto power in the Church and had direct contact with the late Pope.
The 62-year-old hails from Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. He led the diocese of Kurnool for over 12 years before being appointed as Archbishop of Hyderabad in 2020 by Pope Francis.
Following the appointment in 2022, the Cardinal, in an interview with the National Catholic Register (NCR) and the Quint, said he sees his elevation as an opportunity to advocate for the inclusion of Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Caste category.
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