Oceania is the smallest continent in the world and is also the least populous. In the 2013 conclave, it had only one cardinal elector, the Australian George Pell, who passed away in 2023.
Now, four cardinals will be able to enter the Sistine Chapel to elect the new pope. They come from four different countries.
From Australia comes the youngest member of the College of Cardinals: Mykola Bychok, who is under 50 years old. Although he is Ukrainian, from the Greek Catholic Church, his pastoral work is carried out in Melbourne.
From New Zealand is Cardinal Dew. In 2024, after submitting his resignation upon turning 75, an accusation of alleged sexual abuse emerged, dating back to 1977. After a 10-month investigation, the police closed the case, and no charges were filed against him.
Another cardinal from Oceania is Cardinal Mafi, from Tonga — a remote peninsula in Oceania.
And finally, from Papua New Guinea, there is John Ribat. Pope Francis appointed him cardinal in 2016.
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Trans. CRT
