Sunday 26 June 2011

A new consistory?

 It seems there is strong possibility of a new consistory by the end of the year or early 2012. Up to 15 new cardinals may be created, including, perhaps, Archbishop Vincent Nichols. This would confirm Pope Benedict XVI's policy of not leaving the college of cardinals too small, in case of a conclave. The maximum number of voting cardinals (those under the age of 80) is 120. By the end of 2011 there would be 105  cardinals.  That number will drop to 99 by June 2012, and 92 by the end of 2012. This is why it is extremely likely that the Pope will distribute a certain number of birrettas, the traditional headgear of short-term cardinals.


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