Austria's Christoph Schönborn (80) could be elected the new Pope after all (... theoretically, at least). (1 Viewer)

[Tender Branson]

First, I thought that Austria could not be Pope this year ... because Schönborn turned 80 in January and only Cardinals younger than that could vote in the Conclave. Vienna's Cardinal post is currently vacant, because the Vatican has not named a successor for Vienna since late January.

But I forgot that - while Schönborn cannot take part in the Conclave himself - the 130+ Cardinals can still vote for him as new Pope.

Italian media is naming him as very Papabile. He didn't rule it out, but called it "very theoretical".

 

[jpn]

 

[jpn]

 

[Middleground]

Ohhhhh. At the tender young age of 80, to boot.

 

[Airyaman]

For years I've played the game Total War: Medieval II (Stainless Steel 6.4 mod), and one of the recurring themes is Papal elections. It seems the game is fairly accurate in that they too seemed to elect Popes in their late 70s...I guess they really don't want to give a lifelong position to someone who might live for 20-30 years or more...

 

[markdc]

First, I thought that Austria could not be Pope this year ... because Schönborn turned 80 in January and only Cardinals younger than that could vote in the Conclave. Vienna's Cardinal post is currently vacant, because the Vatican has not named a successor for Vienna since late January.

But I forgot that - while Schönborn cannot take part in the Conclave himself - the 130+ Cardinals can still vote for him as new Pope.

Italian media is naming him as very Papabile. He didn't rule it out, but called it "very theoretical".

The Vatican can pick a garden slug as pope for all I care.

Mark