As many as 11 Cardinal electors will turn 80 in 2023, losing their right to vote in any future conclave. Currently, there are 125 cardinals under the age of 80, and over the course of 2023, this number will drop to 114, paving the way for a possible new consistory by Pope Francis.
Of these 11 cardinals, six were appointed by Benedict XVI, two by Pope St. John Paul II and three by Pope Francis. At the end of 2023, 8 electors will have been appointed by Pope St. John Paul II, 28 by Benedict XVI, and 78 by Pope Francis.
The first to turn 80 on January 14 is Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Genoa. He was president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference from 2007 to 2017 and later President of CCEE. He was created cardinal by Benedict XVI in November 2007.
On February 3, another cardinal created by Benedict XVI will turn 80: Domenico Calcagno, President Emeritus of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See and former Bishop of Savona-Noli.
Yet another Cardinal created by Benedict XVI to turn 80 on April 26: Dominik Duka, a Dominican and Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Prague.
On June 2, 2023, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Naples, appointed by St. John Paul in the consistory of February 2001, will also leave the electorate.
July 30 is the birthday of Giuseppe Versaldi, appointed cardinal by Benedict XVI in 2012. Until a few months ago, he was prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education and was previously president of the Prefecture for Economic Affairs, the office in the Roman curia that Pope Francis merged with the Secretariat for the Economy.
Cardinal Angelo Comastri, also appointed by Benedict XVI, will turn 80 on September 17. Until 2021, he was the archbishop of St. Peter’s Basilica and Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City.
Next to lose his right to vote in the conclave will be Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, Archbishop Emeritus of Dhaka, on October 1. Pope Francis appointed him on November 19, 2016.
On November 18, 2023, it will be the turn of Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches. He received the red “berretta” from Benedict XVI in 2007.
Then, on December 5, South Korean Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Seoul, will turn 80. Pope Francis made him a cardinal in his first consistory in 2014.
Next, Cardinal Jean Zerbo of Mali turns 80 on December 27, 2023. Francis appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Bamako to the Sacred College in 2017.
Finally, on December 28, it will be the turn of Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, Metropolitan Archbishop Emeritus of Lima. Pope St. John Paul II appointed him in 2001.
This story was first published by ACI Stampa, the Italian-language sister service of EWTN News.
