Conclave down to 116 after Indonesian drops out
-A A +AFriday, February 22, 2013
VATICAN CITY — The conclave to elect the next pope is now down to 116 cardinals after one decided he is too old and infirm to participate.
AsiaNews, a Vatican-affiliated missionary news agency, said Thursday that Indonesia's 78-year-old Cardinal Julius Darmaatjadja, emeritus archbishop of Jakarta, cited poor eyesight and inability to have an assistant inside the Sistine Chapel as reasons for staying home.
All cardinals under age 80 are eligible to vote. The full College of Cardinals must approve anyone renouncing their duty, but it has done so in the past for cases of illness or infirmity.
No date for the conclave has been set, but it's expected within two weeks after Pope Benedict XVI resigns February 28.
The Vatican spokesman said Thursday he didn't anticipate any new cardinal nominations before Benedict's resignation. (AP)
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