Only the Cardinals participate in a Conclave.
“...Ignoring cardinalatial sees also greatly strengthens the power of the pope because he can ignore the appointees of his predecessor instead of simply ratifying decisions made when prelates were appointed to cardinalatial sees. The pope will be able to reshape the college in his own image much faster than in the past...”
http://ncronline.org/blogs/faith-and-justice/pope-francis-shakes-college-cardinals