ROME, Vatican City, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Roman Catholic cardinals have been discussing a mandatory retirement age of 80 for future popes, The Times of London reported Wednesday.
Pope John Paul II was elected in 1978, making him the third longest-serving pontiff in history. The 84-year-old has survived an assassination attempt, a tumor, arthritis, Parkinson's disease and is now hospitalized with respiratory problems linked to the flu.
"Although the pope by his suffering has given witness, everyone knows that in terms of hands-on operation, he has not been hands-on for quite a bit now, for 18 months to two years," a senior Vatican official said. "There is a large body of opinion among the cardinals that there should be a retirement age of 80 for the next pope."
There are 184 cardinals worldwide, but those aged over 80 are not eligible to sit in conclave, leaving an electorate of 120. The conclave itself does not have the power to set a retirement age, but the source said the conclave could be managed to ensure a retirement age was imposed in future.
