Conclave: A Withdrawal Among the Cardinal Electors

After the 10th consistory held by Pope Francis on December 7, 2024, and since April 19, 2025, which marked the 80th birthday of Cardinal George Alencherry, the College of Cardinals has 252 cardinals, including 135 cardinal electors and 117 non-voting cardinals. However, the number of cardinal electors remains uncertain.

The first issue is the uncertainty surrounding the possible reinstatement of Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who is doing everything possible to secure it. It is likely that his fate will be resolved during a General Congregation of Cardinals, but the matter could be difficult.

But there may also be withdrawals for medical reasons: two of the cardinal electors, Vinko Puljić and Antonio Cañizares Llovera, have stated that they are unable to travel due to their failing or insufficient health. However, the former finally received the green light from his doctor and will indeed travel to Rome.

Here is an excerpt from what the Cardinalis Collegii Recensio website says about them:

Vinko Puljić is Archbishop Emeritus of Sarajevo. Born on September 8, 1945, he was ordained a priest in 1970. On November 19, 1990, he was appointed Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Sarajevo, and was ordained a cardinal in 1994, making him one of the youngest members of the College of Cardinals at the time.

The Bosnian cardinal has spoken out openly about the decline of Sarajevo's Catholic population, stating that the city had become "exclusively Muslim," and has criticized the international community for what he perceives as favoritism toward Muslims.

Cardinal Puljić strongly opposes the blessing of same-sex couples. He has also criticized the German synodal approach and proposed reforms, calling them incompatible with the Gospel.

As for Medjugorje, he adheres to the official position of the bishops of Bosnia and Herzegovina, namely that "it cannot be affirmed that these events concerning apparitions and revelations are of a supernatural nature." However, he concedes that prayer is permitted there and has recognized its evangelical potential.

Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera has been nicknamed "Little Ratzinger." Born on October 15, 1945, in Utiel, Spain, he was ordained a priest on June 21, 1970. He was appointed Bishop of Avila in 1992, Archbishop of Granada in 1996, and then Archbishop of Toledo in 2002. He was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2008. He was elevated to the cardinalate in 2006.

Cardinal Cañizares Llovera has held several important positions within the Spanish Bishops' Conference. In October 2015, he made headlines by questioning the arrival of refugees in Europe, suggesting they could be "the Trojan horse of European societies."

The cardinal has openly criticized what he calls the "gay empire" and "certain feminist ideologies," accusing them of attacking the Christian family. He has also called for the disobedience of "unjust" laws based on "gender ideology," which he considers "the most insidious and destructive of humanity in all of history."