No Cardinals for Ireland

[Fridericus Rex]

More than 50 turns and 5 provinces into the game as Ireland, I am unable to get any Cardinals. There is no way to participate in the selection of a Pope.

Can someone please tell me what and where I need to make changes?

Thank you.

[Friesian]

Do you have priests who have more then 5 piety? Has the college of cardinals empty seats? If both answers are yes then there might be a bug otherwise you just have to get the piety up (send the priests to moslim countries, denounce heretics and witches).

[Schweizergarde]

This doesn't seem like a bug, merely you don't have the requirement/luck to get a seat.

[Kiljaden]

Aye, even if you have a priest (bishop) with 5+ piety, getting in the college of cardinals depends on your standing with the papal states, piety, and eligibility stat (not necessarily in that order)

[Gorrrrrn]

Also on how many other cardinals there are.

I find that the AI factions don't recruit many priests in the early stages of the game, but many of the ones that start the game are likely to become cardinals.

So recruit a few priests once you notice the AI controlled ones start dying off, and send them to convert heathens - a boat load (2/3) to Morocco is good place to start for Ireland. (They can also act as your spies in the area in case any settlements go rebel.)