The History of the College of Cardinals Exceeding the Limit: A Tradition in the Making
The upcoming conclave set to begin on May 7 is generating buzz as it will be the first to include 133 Cardinal electors. This number exceeds the established limit of 120, as outlined in the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis (UDG). Despite this limit, the College of Cardinals has, at various points in history, surpassed the designated number of electors.
A Tradition in the Making?
On October 1, 1975, Pope Paul VI introduced the rule stating that the “maximum number of cardinal electors shall not exceed 120” in the Apostolic Constitution, Romano Pontifici Eligendo. Despite this regulation, the College of Cardinals exceeded the limit on several occasions, such as in the consistory of 1969 when 134 electors were present.
Subsequent Popes, including Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, also oversaw consistories where the number of Cardinal electors exceeded 120. Pope Francis continued this trend by creating more Cardinals, resulting in 10 consistories with numbers surpassing the limit.
Staying Under the Limit
Despite the historical trend of exceeding the limit, the 2025 conclave will mark the first time a conclave will take place with more than 120 Cardinal electors. The College of Cardinals released a declaration acknowledging the right of all 133 electors to participate in the upcoming conclave, seemingly setting aside the legislative provision of UDG when the limit was surpassed.
Universi Dominici Gregis, article 36, affirms the right of any Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, created and published in a consistory, to vote for the Pope. The Constitution also specifies that any Cardinal who has not been deposed or renounced their cardinalate with the Pope’s consent may participate in the election of the new Pontiff.
It will be interesting to see how this unique situation unfolds in the upcoming conclave with 133 Cardinal electors, setting a new precedent in the history of the College of Cardinals.
