News of the alleged letter, supposedly written by cardinals over 80 years of age – an impediment to voting in a conclave – was published on Thursday in Rome’s newspaper «La Repubblica,» quoting an anonymous source.
«No letter has been sent to the Pontiff. There is no such problem, and no uneasiness among those cardinals either,» authorized Vatican sources told the press.
Vatican sources also specified that numerous cardinals older than 80 participated in the celebrations for John Paul II’s 25th anniversary, and attended the consistory for the creation of the 31 new cardinals. The atmosphere in the latter was «very good — one of unity,» the EFE agency reported.
In the Nov. 21, 1970 «motu proprio (apostolic letter establishing norms) «Ingravescentem Aetatem,» Paul VI established that, when reaching the age of 80, cardinals «lose their right to elect the Roman Pontiff and, consequently, also their right to enter in the conclave.»
