Two Catholic cardinals will miss next week’s conclave to elect a new Pope because of health issues, bringing the number of electors expected to 133, the Vatican anounced on Tuesday.
Though the Vatican declined from mentioning their names, a source at the archdiocese of Valencia, however, confirmed that archbishop emeritus, Cardinal Antonio Canizares, would not be attending the conclave due to health reasons.
A total of 135 cardinals are eligible to vote in the secret ceremony in the Sistine Chapel, which begins on May 7 and is expected to last for several days.
If all the others attend, there will be 133 cardinals present.
The winner to succeed Pope Francis will require at least a two-thirds majority, a figure that falls to 89.
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