Cardinal Leonardo Sandri Celebrates 80th Birthday

Argentinian Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, a former high-ranking Vatican official, celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday, November 18. As he has now reached the age of 80, he is no longer eligible to vote in a conclave. Born in Buenos Aires, Sandri was ordained a priest at the age of 24 in 1967. He served as a papal ambassador (nuncio) in various countries including Venezuela and Mexico. Appointed by Pope John Paul II, Sandri became the Substitute for General Affairs at the Secretariat of State in 2000, and later became the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in 2007. He was elevated to the rank of cardinal in the same year. In 2022, his resignation was accepted by Pope Francis. Even after turning 80, Sandri remains the Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals.

With Sandri no longer being eligible to participate in a conclave, there are now 241 cardinals in the College of Cardinals, out of which 135 are under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote. Among the eligible cardinals, 98 were appointed by Pope Francis, 28 by Pope Benedict XVI, and 9 by Pope John Paul II.

If a conclave were to be called, it would consist of 52 European electors (including 14 Italians), 23 Asian electors, and 19 African electors. North America would have 16 electors, South America would have 17, and Central America would have 5. Oceania would be represented by 3 electors. 25 of the electors are current or retired officials of the Roman Curia.

France has six cardinals eligible to vote in a conclave: Dominique Mamberti, the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura; Philippe Barbarin, formerly of Lyon; Jean-Pierre Ricard, formerly of Bordeaux; Georges Pontier of Marseille; Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States; and François Bustillo of Ajaccio.