A Question Of Cardinal Importance

A reader writes:

We were wondering… why can’t cardinals over the age of 80 vote for a new pope? Any answer would be most appreciated!

Well, howzabout the John Paul II’s answer to this question! It’s found in his apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, which is the document he wrote for what was to happen once he died. He writes:

In the present historical circumstances, the universality of the Church is sufficiently expressed by the College of one hundred and twenty electors, made up of Cardinals coming from all parts of the world and from very different cultures. I therefore confirm that this is to be the maximum number of Cardinal electors, while at the same time indicating that it is in no way meant as a sign of less respect that the provision laid down by my predecessor Pope Paul VI has been retained, namely, that those Cardinals who celebrate their eightieth birthday before the day when the Apostolic See becomes vacant do not take part in the election. The reason for this provision is the desire not to add to the weight of such venerable age the further burden of responsibility for choosing the one who will have to lead Christ’s flock in ways adapted to the needs of the times.

He adds:

This does not however mean that the Cardinals over eighty years of age cannot take part in the preparatory meetings of the Conclave, in conformity with the norms set forth below. During the vacancy of the Apostolic See, and especially during the election of the Supreme Pontiff, they in particular should lead the People of God assembled in the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome and in other churches in the Dioceses throughout the world, supporting the work of the electors with fervent prayers and supplications to the Holy Spirit and imploring for them the light needed to make their choice before God alone and with concern only for the "salvation of souls, which in the Church must always be the supreme law."

Author: Jimmy Akin

Jimmy was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith, and in 1992 he entered the Catholic Church. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is the Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to Catholic Answers Magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live."

3 thoughts on “A Question Of Cardinal Importance”

  1. If someone can be pope at an age greater than 80, I don’t see why cardinals aged 80 and over can’t vote. The latter is considerably less burdensome a job.

  2. It’s a grueling process, steve. Once a pope gets to about 80+ there’s not that much left they can do physically. (Unless you’re JP the Great…in which case you can do pretty much ANYTHING because you’re exceptional. Please don’t take that seriously. 😉 )
    I mean, (this assumes no ballots are reached and this is from my memory, I don’t have the document in front of me.)
    Day 1: Mass, Ballot.
    Day 2: Ballot, meditation, ballot.
    Day 3: Ballot, meditation, ballot.
    ” ”
    ” ”
    ” ”
    Day 7 (approx): Council. Ballot.
    Day 8: Ballot, ballot, ballot, ballot.
    ….
    Day 30: Council. Ballot reverts to Majority.
    Day 31: Ballot, ballot, ballot, ballot.
    Go read the document. Ballots are VEERY long and grueling. A hard process.
    So….go figure.
    ~Kosh

  3. It’s probably also prudent, in these days of annoying terrorists with time on their hands, not to put all your cardinals in one basket.

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