Originally published at crisis magazine
As we continue to pray for Pope Francis’ health and well-being, many are again speculating whether he might be considering amendments to the norms for electing a new pope. The last changes were made by his predecessor just days before his historic resignation on February 28, 2013, and weeks before the conclave to elect his successor would assemble. With Normas Nonnullas, Benedict XVI repealed the simple majority allowed by John Paul II after thirteen days of inconclusive balloting. Given the relative brevity of the last couple of conclaves, it seems to have been a reasonable change to make, and it would probably be prudent for Francis to retain it. If Francis decides to revise the norms, any changes are likely to be small, the most significant of which might pertain to the number of cardinals permitted to participate in a conclave.
At 252, the College of Cardinals is at an all-time high, with members hailing from a record 94 countries. Since 1975, only those under the age of eighty are permitted to vote. Paul VI also capped the total number of electors at 120. The current number of those eligible now stands at an unprecedented 137. Assuming all of them will remain alive and
