List of papabili in the 2005 papal conclave

A number of men had been named as potential successors (papabili) to Pope John Paul II, who died on April 2, 2005, before the 2005 conclave. On April 19, 2005, the conclave selected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI.

In the chart below, lime indicates the elected Pope, and gray indicates cardinals who, since then, have either died or turned 80 and hence will be ineligible to vote in any coming conclaves which decreases or eliminates their chances of being elected Pope.

(Note: Most offices in the Roman Curia expire upon the death of each pope. Those cardinals listed as being last to hold an office held those positions at the time of John Paul II's death.)

See also