VATICAN CITY, AUG. 28, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Italian press published reports that Benedict XVI plans to name new cardinals in November, reports the Vatican has not confirmed.
The Pope would need to elevate 15 new cardinals to bring the number of electors from its current number of 105, to its limit of 120.
Seventy-six of the 181 members of the College of Cardinals are over 80 and thus ineligible to vote in a papal conclave.
On Sunday night, Cardinal Édouard Gagnon passed away, bringing the college to its current number.
Since January, six cardinals have turned 80.
Two more will reach their 80th birthday before the end of the year: Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the college and former secretary of state, and Cardinal Edmund Casimir Szoka, former archbishop of Detroit and retired president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.
The last new members of the College of Cardinals were created in October 2003, when Benedict XVI elevated 15 new cardinals, 12 of whom were under the age of 80.
The ceiling of 120 for the number of cardinal-electors was established by Pope Paul VI in 1975.
The Pope has the authority to exceed that number at his own discretion.
ZE07082810 - 2007-08-28