Vatican (AsiaNews/Agencies) The 115 cardinals scheduled to meet for the upcoming conclave come from 52 different countries .
The largest group comes from Italy (20 cardinals), followed by Germany and Spain with six each.
Europe is the continent with the largest number (58).
The Americas are sending 35 cardinals (14 from the United States and Canada, and 21 from Latin America).
Africa and Asia have 11 cardinals respectively.
And last but not least, Oceania comes in with two.
Among Asian cardinals India takes top spot with three followed by the Philippines and Japan with two. Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Syria have one each.
The total number leaves out two cardinals electors who have already announced that they cannot join the conclave for health reasons; they are Mgr Jaime Lachica Sin, 77, Archbishop emeritus of Manila (Philippines) and Mgr Adolfo Antonio Rivera Suàrez, 78, Archbishop emeritus of Monterrey (Mexico).
Of the 115 cardinals, 22 belong to religious orders; among them there are three Franciscans, two Jesuits and two Salesians.