By Catholic Broadcast Commission, Nigeria
At 62, Peter Cardinal Okpaleke is the only Nigerian eligible to vote in a future papal conclave, according to the Catholic Broadcast Commission.
Among Nigeria’s four living cardinals, he is the sole prelate under the age of 80 — the canonical threshold for voting in the election of a new pope.
The other Nigerian cardinals — Francis Cardinal Arinze (92), Anthony Cardinal Okogie (88) and John Cardinal Onaiyekan (81) — are all above the Church’s voting age limit of 80.
The rule barring cardinals over the age of 80 from voting in a conclave was instituted to ease the burden on senior clergy.
The Church spares elderly cardinals the heavy responsibility of electing the next pope.
Those above 80 provide spiritual support, leading the faithful in prayer and imploring divine guidance for the electors.
“This provision respects the dignity and wisdom of our elder cardinals.
“While they do not vote, they continue to play a crucial role in the spiritual life of the Church, especially during the sede vacante.”
Elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2022 by Pope Francis, Cardinal Okpaleke now stands as Nigeria’s sole voice in the crucial task of electing the next pope.
