Altered Birthdate of Cardinal Sparks Widespread Curiosity
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Cardinal Ouedraogo's Age: A Mystery When Picking the Next Pope
As the Vatican prepares for the conclave to elect the new Pope, the age of Cardinal Philippe Ouedraogo has become a subject of speculation. Contradictory reports suggest whether the cardinal is 79 or already 80 years old, which would make him ineligible for the conclave due to age.
Confusion over the cardinal's age arises from inconsistencies in the Vatican's official documents, most notably in the "Annuario Pontificio," the papal yearbook containing information about the cardinals. Initially, the cardinal's birthdate was listed as either January 24 or 25, 1945, which would have made the cardinal 80 years old. However, in the 2025 edition of the "Annuario Pontificio," his birthdate was changed to December 31, 1945, making him eligible for the conclave.
The Curious Tale of Cardinal Ouedraogo's Birthdate
In a recent interview, the cardinal revealed, "In the village where I was born, there were no schools or hospitals. I was born at home and had no birthdate." When he was ordained as a priest in 1973, he was required to provide a birthdate, but he chose January 24, 1945. The cardinal, who was made a cardinal by Francis in 2014, hasn't yet provided a reason for the change in his birthdate in the new yearbook.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that perhaps an identification document may have arrived at the Vatican regarding this unusual situation. This change could impact whether the cardinal is eligible to participate in the conclave, given the potential for age restrictions on papal electors.
The Looming Conclave: A Battle for the Soul of the Church
The conclave for the election of a new Pope, to fill the void left by the passing of Pope Francis, is set to begin on May 7. The quorum for this historic event is 89 votes.
General congregations of cardinals in the Vatican, the first since the burial of Pope Francis, have been held recently to discuss the challenges facing the church and the new Pope who will take the reins. Roughly 180 cardinals participated in these meetings, with approximately 100 papal electors present.
The identities of the three cardinals selected to assist Cardinal Kevin Farrell during the conclave have been revealed: German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, and Frenchman Dominique Mamberti. As the cardinals gathered for their discussions, questions about the upcoming conclave's implications and the future of the church are left hanging in the air.
Beyond Bagels and Shoes: Looking for Signs of the Next Pope
In today's unpredictable world, many are seeking insight into the new Pope's leadership style and priorities. Will the next Pontiff focus on the church's ancient rituals, or will they push for change in the face of modernity? Only time will tell as the cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to choose the next spiritual leader of the Catholic faith.
- What about Cardinal Ouedraogo's birthdate being listed differently in Vatican documents? It's a matter of great intrigue, especially since it could determine his eligibility for the upcoming conclave.
- The pontificio yearbook, Annuario Pontificio, has two conflicting entries for Cardinal Philippe Ouedraogo's birthdate: January 24, 1945, showing him to be 80, or December 31, 1945, making him 79.
- According to Cardinal Ouedraogo, he doesn't actually know his exact birthdate, and he chose January 24, 1945, when he was ordained as a priest. Recently, his birthdate was changed to December 31, 1945, in the 2025 edition of the Annuario Pontificio, resulting in speculation about his age and eligibility for the conclave.
- The identities of the three assistant cardinals picked for Cardinal Kevin Farrell during the upcoming conclave include Dominique Mamberti, along with German Cardinal Reinhard Marx and Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle. This will be significant in the approaching battle for the soul of the church as they search for a new spiritual leader to lead in an age of modernity and change.
