Age Uncertainty May Disqualify African Cardinal from Papal Election

Age Uncertainty May Disqualify African Cardinal from Papal Election

A rare case of conflicting birth records may cost Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo of Burkina Faso his voting rights in the upcoming papal conclave.

The cardinal's exact birthdate remains unclear some Vatican records list it as January 24, 1945, which would make him 80 and ineligible to vote, while other documents, including the latest Vatican directory, say December 31, 1945, making him just within the age limit.

Under Catholic Church law, only cardinals under the age of 80 are permitted to vote in the election of a new pope. The conclave is set to begin Wednesday, and any mistake regarding eligibility could cast doubt on the legitimacy of the vote