Overview:
Following the passing of Pope Francis, Cardinal Chibly Langlois will represent Haiti in the upcoming papal conclave—marking the first time a Haitian cardinal participates in electing the next pope.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — For the first time in its Catholic history, Haiti will have a voice in electing the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Cardinal Chibly Langlois, bishop of Les Cayes—the capital city of the Southern Department— and Haiti’s first and only cardinal, will enter the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Rome, to participate in the sacred ritual of selecting the next pope.
The conclave follows the April 21 death of Pope Francis, 88, who led the Church for over 12 years and was widely admired for his progressive vision and advocacy for the poor. His passing has prompted global reflection on the Church’s future—and stirred pride in Haiti as Cardinal Langlois prepares to cast his historic vote alongside cardinals from around the world.
“It’s a powerful moment for Haiti,” said one Haitian seminarian who chose to be anonymous due to privacy concerns, “because it shows that even in our struggle, our faith is not invisible.”
Langlois, now 66, was appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis in February 2014. At the time, the announcement surprised many, as he was not an archbishop nor part of the Vatican’s Curia—two common prerequisites for the role. But Francis, known for reshaping the College of Cardinals to better reflect the global South, saw in Langlois a humble pastor grounded in a Church that “walks with the poor.”
Cardinal Langlois’ participation in the conclave grants Haiti a first-ever vote in papal succession, an act rich in both symbolism and ecclesial significance. As of April 2025, there are 252 cardinals of whom 135 cardinals eligible to vote, all under the age of 80, per Vatican guidelines.
“His attentive gaze and calls for solidarity encouraged and supported a Church that truly cares for its community,” Langlois said of Pope Francis in a tribute statement, following the death of the sovereign pontiff. “Today, as we reflect on his life and ministry, the Church of Haiti reaffirms its commitment to carry on that mission.”
While Cardinal Langlois is not considered among the “papabile,” Italian for pope-able (those viewed as likely candidates to become pope) — his presence marks a watershed moment for the representation of marginalized nations within the Catholic hierarchy. Some Haitians have dared to dream about Langlois ascending to the papacy—an event that would make him not only the first Haitian pope, but also the first Black pope in modern history.
“it’s a source of pride for us that he’s part of the cardinals who will elect the new pope.”
Robert Cornillon Bien-Aimé, Facebook user.
“We know he can’t become pope because he doesn’t have enough influence in the Vatican,” wrote Haitian Facebook user Robert Cornillon Bien-Aimé, “but it’s a source of pride for us that he’s part of the cardinals who will elect the new pope.”
Another user, Marc Eliacin, thanked Pope Francis for Langlois’ elevation in 2014. “He will be the first Haitian to have the opportunity to be present at the conclave to elect a new pope,” he posted, expressing gratitude and national pride.
A voice from a Church that suffers with its people
Langlois has long been known as a bishop who walks with the people. His diocese in Les Cayes—a region severely affected by the 2021 earthquake and enduring persistent poverty—has been at the forefront of the Church’s humanitarian mission.
His participation in the conclave underscores the growing recognition of Church leaders from regions suffering political instability, poverty and violence. Pope Francis, who had not visited Haiti frequently spoke about its suffering, championed the inclusion of prelates from underrepresented nations, such as Haiti, Tonga and Papua New Guinea. Several of them are “outsiders” to the Roman Catholic Church system, so it makes it harder to predict how they will vote, according to CNN.
Catholic news outlets, including Crux and Vatican News, indicate that the upcoming conclave is expected to continue the global southward trend in the Church leadership.
For many Haitians, Cardinal Langlois brings the perspective of communities who live faith as a source of endurance. That voice matters in the Sistine Chapel as legacy and future hopes.
Langlois’s elevation to the cardinalate in 2014 was a historic gesture that recognized Haiti’s profound religiosity and resilience. Eleven years later, his presence in the conclave marks another leap forward.
The next pope will be chosen behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel, beginning with prayer and reflection, followed by rounds of secret ballots until a candidate secures a two-thirds majority. As the world watches, Haitians can take pride in knowing that for the first time, their Church—long on the margins—now holds a seat at the heart of Catholic decision-making.
Editor’s Note: Fritznel D. Octave, Haiti editor of The Haitian Times, contributed to this reporting.