Confusion Over Cardinal’s Birthdate Could Bar Him from Electing Next Pope

A cardinal from Burkina Faso may be excluded from the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope due to uncertainty about his age, raising concerns over eligibility rules set by the Vatican. Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo’s birthdate is unclear, with some documents listing it as January 24, 1945—making him 80 years old and therefore ineligible to vote—while others, including the latest official Vatican directory, cite December 31, 1945, which would place him within the age limit at 79.

The discrepancy is significant because Catholic Church law states that only cardinals under the age of 80 can participate in a conclave to elect a pope. If a cardinal votes despite being overage, it could call the validity of the papal election into question. The inconsistency in records has sparked intrigue and mockery in the Italian press, with headlines suggesting the cardinal has miraculously grown younger to qualify for the vote.

Cardinal Ouédraogo, known for his conservative views, could be a key figure for those within the Church who hope to reverse some of Pope Francis’ more progressive moves, such as his recent approval of blessings for same-sex couples. Explaining the confusion around his age, the cardinal said he was born in a village without hospitals or schools, and was not given an official birthdate at birth.