[royalcello]

This is obviously a traditionalist interpretation, but I've read that the rule was imposed to keep cardinals with a "pre-conciliar mentality" from voting in the next conclave. Since Cardinal Alfons Stickler, 93, is the only living cardinal I know of today who could possibly be described as having a "pre-conciliar mentality," it's hard to see how this still applies.

[american colleen]

Stickler

Love that guy.

Thanks for the input. I guess I'll have to google around and find out why Pope Paul VI did what he did. If what you say is true, then all those old cardinals are dead anyway and it would seem like that decree should have been a "one time only" act... and if the decree was to minimize the possible senility problem then it seems that the Holy Spirit was ignored and that no one should be pope after age 80.

There must be some other reason. (?)