Here is a link to the "rulebook" John Paul II created in 1996 for the election of the pope:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis_en.html
I had heard of the "under 80 only" rule before, but not the limit of 120 total, either. The document doesn't seem to explain how the surplus of Cardinals is dealt with, though there is a footnote (number 10) at the end of the sentance:
10 Cf. Motu Proprio Ingravescentem Aetatem (21 November 1970), II, 2: AAS 62 (1970), 811; Apostolic Constitution Romano Pontifici Eligendo (1 October 1975), 33: AAS 67 (1975), 622.
Perhaps those references hold the answer?
----Original Message Follows----
From: Marjorie Greene <
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Reply-To: medieval-religion - Scholarly discussions of medieval religious culture <
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To:
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Subject: [M-R] Papal election
Date: Sat, 9 Apr 2005 22:35:48 -0700
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Doctissimi,
I just found this on line and am surprised that, with all the coverage of papalia, no one mentioned this rule:
"The maximum number of electors from the College of Cardinals is 120. The college is currently composed of 194 cardinals.
Any cardinal who turns 80 before the day the Papacy is vacated, either by death or resignation, cannot take part in the election. Currently, 135 cardinals are eligible to vote under this rule (15 of those 135 would be disqualified from the vote because the limit is 120)."
How are the 15 disqualified cardinals selected? Seniority or lack thereof? Other?
MG
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