Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Anticipation Builds as Vatican Prepares for Potential Papal Transition
Observers, encompassing both those encouraged by Pope Francis’s tenure and those who held reservations about the direction he was guiding the Church, are keenly awaiting indications of who will signal the selection of the next pontiff in the coming period.
Eligible Cardinals to Elect the Next Pope
As of April 21, the College of Cardinals is composed of 252 members. However, only those under the age of 80 are eligible to participate in the election of a new Pope. This restricts the voting body to 137 cardinals. Notably, Francis most recently appointed 21 church officials to the cardinalate on December 7, with 20 of them qualified to vote for his successor.
Age is No Barrier to Papal Office
Conversely, there is no age limit to be elected Pope. Benedict XVI was 78 years old upon his election, while Francis was 76.
Historical Context of Papal Age
- Agatho: Papal history suggests he was 101 years old when he ascended to the papacy in 678, reigning for three years, though scholarly debate continues regarding his exact age.
- Gregory XII: Otherwise, Pope Gregory XII is documented as the oldest elected Pope at the age of 81 in 1406.
Potential Successors: Understanding the ‘Papabile’
Therefore, the pool of potential candidates consists of a distinguished group of individuals. According to subject matter experts, several prominent cardinals—termed “papabile,” signifying their potential to be Pope—are considered leading contenders to become the next leader of the Catholic Church.