The last Bishop that was appointed to their current post by Pope Paul VI retired today.
Bishop Gilbert Guillaume Marie-Jean Aubry of Saint-Denis-de-La Réunion was named on 20 Nov 1975 by Pope Paul VI.
He was born 10 May 1942 (thus age 81 at his retirement).
19 July 2023
11 July 2023
Cardinal Stats and Charts, Summer 2023 (includes Cardinal-Designates)
This posts assumes that there are no deaths among the current Cardinals or the Cardinal-Designates.
As of today (11 Jul 2023), there are be 222 Living Cardinals with 121 eligible to vote in a conclave when that should become necessary.
The average age of the Cardinals is 79.0 and the average of the electors is 72.6 years old.
The average length of service as a Cardinal is 12.0 years, 8.5 years if only considering electors.
After the next Consistory to Create Cardinals on 30 Sep 2023, there will be: 243 Living Cardinals with 137 eligible to vote in a conclave when that should become necessary.
The average age of the Cardinals will be 78.2 and the average of the electors is 71.6 years old.
The average length of service as a Cardinal will be 11.2 years, 7.5 years if only considering electors.
The youngest two Cardinals are (the only ones under 50):
The oldest Cardinal is Alexandre do Nascimento (Archbishop Emeritus of Luanda, Angola) who is 98.4.
Note a list of the oldest and youngest dozen Cardinals can be found on the main site.
I've posted an updated version of the Cardinal Charts (warning: PDF format).
The charts are:
There is a technical limit of 120 voting Cardinals, but it has frequently been exceeded and by every Pope since it was established.
Currently there are 121 voting Cardinals. After the new Consistory, it will be 137. Assuming no deaths and no new Cardinals creations, the number will back to 120 voting Cardinals on 25 Dec 2024.
(See this link for more information on this topic)
As of today (11 Jul 2023), there are be 222 Living Cardinals with 121 eligible to vote in a conclave when that should become necessary.
The average age of the Cardinals is 79.0 and the average of the electors is 72.6 years old.
The average length of service as a Cardinal is 12.0 years, 8.5 years if only considering electors.
After the next Consistory to Create Cardinals on 30 Sep 2023, there will be: 243 Living Cardinals with 137 eligible to vote in a conclave when that should become necessary.
The average age of the Cardinals will be 78.2 and the average of the electors is 71.6 years old.
The average length of service as a Cardinal will be 11.2 years, 7.5 years if only considering electors.
The youngest two Cardinals are (the only ones under 50):
- Giorgio Marengo, I.M.C., 49.1, Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar, 49.6, Auxiliary Bishop of Lisboa {Lisbon}, Portugal.
The oldest Cardinal is Alexandre do Nascimento (Archbishop Emeritus of Luanda, Angola) who is 98.4.
Note a list of the oldest and youngest dozen Cardinals can be found on the main site.
I've posted an updated version of the Cardinal Charts (warning: PDF format).
The charts are:
- Number of Cardinals (1585-2033; 1915-2033; and 1965-2033)
- Average Age (1585-2033; 1915-2033; and 1965-2033)
Cardinals Turning 80
| When | Cardinal Electors |
|---|---|
| Now | 121 |
| After New | 137 |
| End of 2023 | 132 |
| End of 2024 | 120 |
| End of 2025 | 106 |
| End of 2026 | 100 |
| End of 2027 | 87 |
(the table assumes no deaths nor new Cardinal Electors)
Cardinal-Electors as Percent of the College
With the introduction of the age limit for Cardinals to vote in a conclave, the percent of Cardinals eligible to vote had been trending downward. However, it has rebounded a bit in the recent times with the deaths of a number of the elderly Cardinals and a significant number of new creations.
Today, 54.1% are Electors. At the lowest point, it was 51.7% (before the November 2016 Consistory). After the Consistory, 56.4% will be Electors.
Assuming no Cardinal deaths and no new creations, on 11 Oct 2024, Cardinal-Electors will fall below 50% (121 of 243) for the first time ever.
Given that deaths of non-Electors are more likely, the dates will likely be later than those given above.
Age Limit and 120 Limit on Voting Cardinals
There is a technical limit of 120 voting Cardinals, but it has frequently been exceeded and by every Pope since it was established.
Currently there are 121 voting Cardinals. After the new Consistory, it will be 137. Assuming no deaths and no new Cardinals creations, the number will back to 120 voting Cardinals on 25 Dec 2024.
(See this link for more information on this topic)
09 July 2023
Some Notes on the New Cardinal-Designates
One of the new Cardinal-Designates (full list here) will become the 4th oldest living Cardinal: Father Luis Pascual Dri, O.F.M. Cap. (Age 96.4).
Five of the new Cardinal-Designates will be on the list of the youngest dozen after the consistory:
Five of the new Cardinal-Designates will be on the list of the youngest dozen after the consistory:
- Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar, Auxiliary Bishop of Lisboa {Lisbon}, Portugal; Age: 49.7
- François-Xavier Bustillo, O.F.M. Conv., Bishop of Ajaccio, France; Age: 54.8
- José Cobo Cano, Archbishop of Madrid, Spain; Age: 58.0
- Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M., Patriarch of Jerusalem {Gerusalemme}, Palestine; Age: 58.4
- Grzegorz Ryś, Archbishop of Łódź, Poland; Age: 59.6
(all ages are their ages at the time of the announcement)
Of the 21, nine have an accent in their name.
Two are current Apostolic Nuncios, although given their ages, they are likely to retire this year.
- Emil Paul Tscherrig, Apostolic Nuncio to Italy; Age: 76.6
- Christophe Louis Yves Georges Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to United States of America; Age: 77.6
27 May 2023
Vatican II Council Fathers (now updated!)
The original list of Vatican II Council Fathers on my website was based on the book "I padri presenti al Concilio ecumenico vaticano II" (Città del Vaticano: Tip. poliglotta vaticana, 1966).
The updated list is based on the book "Acta synodalia Sacrosancti Concilii Oecumenici Vaticani II: Indices" (Rome: Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, 1980).
The updated list is now live on the website:
There are 5 new Council Fathers added to the list:
- Father Jenaro Artázcoz Lizárraga, I.E.M.E.
Apostolic Administrator of El Petén, Guatemala - Bishop Chrétien Matawo Bakpessi
Bishop of Sokodé, Togo - Archbishop Antônio dos Santos Cabral
Archbishop of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil - Archbishop Jean Larrart, M.E.P.
Archbishop of Guiyang [Kweyang], China - Bishop Juozapas Matulaitis-Labukas
Apostolic Administrator of Kaunas, Lithuania
- Bishop József Bánk
Auxiliary Bishop of Győr (Raab), Hungary
(Added to Session III) - Bishop Gaudenzio Binaschi
Bishop of Pinerolo, Italy
(Added to Session IV)
The new source, however, does have a number of flaws. These are ones that I noted:
I should also note there are still a number of Council Fathers for whom I have very little information (mostly the heads of religious orders). Any help would be greatly appreciated - as well as any other lists of Council Fathers for further verification.
- Bishop Manuel d’Almeida Trindade
Bishop of Aveiro, Portugal
#53 is a duplicate of #708 (indicated in the text) - Bishop Rémy Jérôme Augustin, S.M.M.
Auxiliary Bishop of Port-au-Prince, Haïti
#135 is a duplicate of #26 - Bishop Felice Beccaro
Bishop of San Miniato, Italy
#298 is a duplicate of #209 - Bishop Athanasios Cheriyan Polachirakal
Bishop of Tiruvalla (Syro-Malankara), India
#554 is a duplicate of #2265 - #1199 is a typo, should be #1099
- Bishop José Trinidad Sepúlveda Ruiz-Velasco
Bishop of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México
#2828 is a duplicate of #2610 - Father Wenceslao Manuel Gomez Frande, O.C.D.
Prefect of San Miguel de Sucumbíos, Ecuador
the unnumbered entry between 2919 and 2920 is a cross reference to #1216
| Session | Old Count | New Count | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,448 | 2,448 | 0 |
| 2 | 2,488 | 2,488 | 0 |
| 3 | 2,468 | 2,471 | +3 |
| 4 | 2,625 | 2,629 | +4 |
| All | 3,058 | 3,063 | +5 |
I should also note there are still a number of Council Fathers for whom I have very little information (mostly the heads of religious orders). Any help would be greatly appreciated - as well as any other lists of Council Fathers for further verification.
The number of living Council Fathers (6) has not changed since this post, last updated in July 2022.
18 March 2023
Religious Orders in Recent Times (top dozen, charts, 2023)
I've updated a few charts that look at the number of priests and members of religious orders over the last several decades. To avoid it looking like spaghetti, I only used the top dozen orders based on number of priests*. I also split the top 4 from the other 8 - there is very little overlap between the two sets and it makes the charts much clearer.
The charts are posted here. (.pdf format)
The Jesuits were the first order (of the top dozen) to have lost more than half of their members from their recent high point (from 36,038 in 1966 to 17,908 in 2011). They are currently at 14,439 members, down 60% from the all time high.
One might note that there is no significant change (positive or negative) since Pope Francis (a Jesuit) became Pope. In fairness, it normally takes several years for any event in a religious order (or diocese) to have an impact on the vocation numbers. In the case of the Jesuits, they also have a much longer formation process than most.
Two more orders reached that milestone in 2016: Franciscans (now down 54%) and Oblates of Mary Immaculate (now down 53%).
Two more orders reached that point in 2022: Redemptorists (down 50%) and Vincentians/Lazarists (down 51%).
In terms of priests, only three orders have reached that point, the Benedictines which are down 54% from their recent high point (from 7,058 in the early 1970s to 3,420 in 2019) and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate which reached it in 2021 (from 5,441 in 1967 to 2,643) down 54% now). This past year the Jesuits are now down 50% (from 21,025 in 1969 to 10,432)
One other order are in danger of reaching that point: the Franciscans (down just under 50%).
In the top dozen, only one order, Divine Word Missionaries, has hit its high mark in terms of members in recent years (6,131 in 2009).
In terms of priests, two orders hit their highest mark in 2016: Divine Word Missionaries with 4,231 and Discalced Carmelites with 2,937.
The Divine Word Missionaries had the best year of the top 12, increasing their number of members by 12.
Overall, adding all of the top 12 together, the all time high was in 1966 with 160,926 total members. In 2022, that had dropped 45% to 88,407. In terms of priests, the high was in 1971 with 95,411 total priests. In 2022, that had dropped 36% to 60,941.
If current trends continue, the Jesuits will lose the title of largest religious order to the Salesians of Saint John Bosco. First by the number of members (2 years) and later by number of priests (10 years).
(* Out of curiosity I checked the top dozen orders based on number of members - it was the same dozen, but in a slightly different order.)
Note that only Male Religious Orders were included because that happens to be the data I have readily available. As time permits, I hope to do similar charts for Female Religious Orders. A few have already been added to the main website.
The charts are posted here. (.pdf format)
The Jesuits were the first order (of the top dozen) to have lost more than half of their members from their recent high point (from 36,038 in 1966 to 17,908 in 2011). They are currently at 14,439 members, down 60% from the all time high.
One might note that there is no significant change (positive or negative) since Pope Francis (a Jesuit) became Pope. In fairness, it normally takes several years for any event in a religious order (or diocese) to have an impact on the vocation numbers. In the case of the Jesuits, they also have a much longer formation process than most.
Two more orders reached that milestone in 2016: Franciscans (now down 54%) and Oblates of Mary Immaculate (now down 53%).
Two more orders reached that point in 2022: Redemptorists (down 50%) and Vincentians/Lazarists (down 51%).
In terms of priests, only three orders have reached that point, the Benedictines which are down 54% from their recent high point (from 7,058 in the early 1970s to 3,420 in 2019) and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate which reached it in 2021 (from 5,441 in 1967 to 2,643) down 54% now). This past year the Jesuits are now down 50% (from 21,025 in 1969 to 10,432)
One other order are in danger of reaching that point: the Franciscans (down just under 50%).
In the top dozen, only one order, Divine Word Missionaries, has hit its high mark in terms of members in recent years (6,131 in 2009).
In terms of priests, two orders hit their highest mark in 2016: Divine Word Missionaries with 4,231 and Discalced Carmelites with 2,937.
The Divine Word Missionaries had the best year of the top 12, increasing their number of members by 12.
Overall, adding all of the top 12 together, the all time high was in 1966 with 160,926 total members. In 2022, that had dropped 45% to 88,407. In terms of priests, the high was in 1971 with 95,411 total priests. In 2022, that had dropped 36% to 60,941.
If current trends continue, the Jesuits will lose the title of largest religious order to the Salesians of Saint John Bosco. First by the number of members (2 years) and later by number of priests (10 years).
(* Out of curiosity I checked the top dozen orders based on number of members - it was the same dozen, but in a slightly different order.)
Note that only Male Religious Orders were included because that happens to be the data I have readily available. As time permits, I hope to do similar charts for Female Religious Orders. A few have already been added to the main website.
27 August 2022
Cardinal Stats and Charts, Summer 2022
This posts assumes that there are no deaths among the current Cardinals.
As of today (27 Aug 2022, there are be 226 Living Cardinals with 132 eligible to vote in a conclave when that should become necessary.
The average age of the Cardinals is 78.2 and the average of the electors is 72.3 years old.
The average length of service as a Cardinal is 11.2 years, 8.0 years if only considering electors.
The youngest three Cardinals are (all from the group created today):
The oldest Cardinal is Alexandre do Nascimento (Archbishop Emeritus of Luanda, Angola) who is 97.5.
I've posted an updated version of the Cardinal Charts (warning: PDF format).
The charts are:
There is a technical limit of 120 voting Cardinals, but it has frequently been exceeded and by every Pope since it was established.
Currently there are 132 voting Cardinals. Assuming no deaths and no new Cardinals creations, the number will back to 120 voting Cardinals on 18 Sep 2023.
(See this link for more information on this topic)
As of today (27 Aug 2022, there are be 226 Living Cardinals with 132 eligible to vote in a conclave when that should become necessary.
The average age of the Cardinals is 78.2 and the average of the electors is 72.3 years old.
The average length of service as a Cardinal is 11.2 years, 8.0 years if only considering electors.
The youngest three Cardinals are (all from the group created today):
- Giorgio Marengo, I.M.C., 48.20, Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, S.D.B., 54.73, Archbishop of Díli, Timor-Leste.
- Paulo Cezar Costa, 55.08, Archbishop of Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
The oldest Cardinal is Alexandre do Nascimento (Archbishop Emeritus of Luanda, Angola) who is 97.5.
I've posted an updated version of the Cardinal Charts (warning: PDF format).
The charts are:
- Number of Cardinals (1585-2032; 1915-2032; and 1965-2032)
- Average Age (1585-2032; 1915-2032; and 1965-2032)
Cardinals Turning 80
| When | Cardinal Electors |
|---|---|
| Now | 132 |
| End of 2022 | 126 |
| End of 2023 | 115 |
| End of 2024 | 102 |
| End of 2025 | 89 |
| End of 2026 | 84 |
(the table assumes no deaths nor new Cardinal Electors)
Cardinal-Electors as Percent of the College
With the introduction of the age limit for Cardinals to vote in a conclave, the percent of Cardinals eligible to vote had been trending downward. However, it has rebounded a bit in the recent times with the deaths of a number of the elderly Cardinals and a significant number of new creations.
Today, 58.4% are Electors. At the lowest point, it was 51.7% (before the November 2016 Consistory).
Assuming no Cardinal deaths and no new creations, on 30 Jan 2024, Cardinal-Electors will be 50% (113 of 226). A fortnight later it will fall below 50% for the first time ever (112 of 226).
Given that deaths of non-Electors are more likely, the dates will likely be later than those given above.
Age Limit and 120 Limit on Voting Cardinals
There is a technical limit of 120 voting Cardinals, but it has frequently been exceeded and by every Pope since it was established.
Currently there are 132 voting Cardinals. Assuming no deaths and no new Cardinals creations, the number will back to 120 voting Cardinals on 18 Sep 2023.
(See this link for more information on this topic)
Cardinal Electors and Modern Limits, updated November 2024
First a bit of background information before we get to the periods were there was more than 120 Cardinal Electors.
The age limit on electors became effective on 1 Jan 1971 (Ingravescentem Aetatem). The limit of 120 electors was added on 1 Oct 1975 (Romano Pontifici Eligendo). The current rule (cardinals age 80 or less on the day the Holy See becomes vacant may vote) was added on 22 Feb 1996 (Universi Dominici Gregis).
Before the 1996 language, it is not possible to precisely say the number of cardinal electors (it was based on when the conclave began), so I'll disregard the 2 times before then when the number could have been 121 for short periods. (See the 2nd table)
Since then, there have been 14 times when the 120 number was exceeded.
There are two entries beginning in 2003 due to Cardinal Gulbinowicz. At the time it was thought that his birth year was 1928 (age out in 2008), but in reality it was 1923 (age out in 2003 just before the consistory). The correct birth year was not acknowledged until February 2005.
1) in reality
2) as perceived at the time
3) the final period is an estimate that assumes no cardinal elector dies and no new ones beyond what have been announced are created before the end date.
For completeness, here are the other times when the 120 limit was exceeded with some notes.
1) This was before the age limit and the 120 cardinal elector limit existed.
2) The count and Days are based on the current language. At the time the age limit was more vague and a precise count of electors is not possible.
(Revised on 27 Aug 2018 to add info about Cardinal Gulbinowicz)
The age limit on electors became effective on 1 Jan 1971 (Ingravescentem Aetatem). The limit of 120 electors was added on 1 Oct 1975 (Romano Pontifici Eligendo). The current rule (cardinals age 80 or less on the day the Holy See becomes vacant may vote) was added on 22 Feb 1996 (Universi Dominici Gregis).
Before the 1996 language, it is not possible to precisely say the number of cardinal electors (it was based on when the conclave began), so I'll disregard the 2 times before then when the number could have been 121 for short periods. (See the 2nd table)
Since then, there have been 14 times when the 120 number was exceeded.
| Start | End | Highest | Days | Pope | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21-Feb-2001 | 1-Aug-2002 | 136 | 526 | JP2 | |
| 21-Oct-2003 | 12-Dec-2004 | 134 | 418 | JP2 | 1 |
| 21-Oct-2003 | 10-Jan-2005 | 135 | 447 | JP2 | 2 |
| 24-Mar-2006 | 25-Mar-2006 | 121 | 1 | B16 | |
| 20-Nov-2010 | 27-Jan-2011 | 121 | 68 | B16 | |
| 18-Feb-2012 | 27-Jul-2012 | 125 | 160 | B16 | |
| 22-Feb-2014 | 12-Mar-2014 | 122 | 18 | F | |
| 14-Feb-2015 | 20-Apr-2015 | 125 | 65 | F | |
| 19-Nov-2016 | 29-Nov-2016 | 121 | 10 | F | |
| 28-Jun-2017 | 6-Sep-2017 | 121 | 70 | F | |
| 28-Jun-2018 | 28-Apr-2019 | 125 | 304 | F | |
| 05-Oct-2019 | 30-Sep-2020 | 128 | 361 | F | |
| 28-Nov-2020 | 08-Nov-2021 | 128 | 345 | F | |
| 27-Aug-2022 | 31-Jul-2023 | 132 | 338 | F | |
| 30-Sep-2023 | 25-Nov-2024 | 137 | 422 | F | |
| 07-Dec-2024 | 16-Apr-2026 | 140 | 495 | F | 3 |
There are two entries beginning in 2003 due to Cardinal Gulbinowicz. At the time it was thought that his birth year was 1928 (age out in 2008), but in reality it was 1923 (age out in 2003 just before the consistory). The correct birth year was not acknowledged until February 2005.
1) in reality
2) as perceived at the time
3) the final period is an estimate that assumes no cardinal elector dies and no new ones beyond what have been announced are created before the end date.
For completeness, here are the other times when the 120 limit was exceeded with some notes.
| Start | End | Highest | Days | Pope | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28-Apr-1968 | 1-Jan-1971 | 134 | 978 | P6 | 1 |
| 30-Jun-1979 | 1-Jul-1979 | 121 | 1 | JP2 | 2 |
| 28-Jun-1988 | 27-Jul-1988 | 121 | 29 | JP2 | 2 |
1) This was before the age limit and the 120 cardinal elector limit existed.
2) The count and Days are based on the current language. At the time the age limit was more vague and a precise count of electors is not possible.
(Revised on 27 Aug 2018 to add info about Cardinal Gulbinowicz)
(Updated on 27 Aug 2022 to add three new periods over the limit)
(Updated on 11 Jul 2023 to reflect recent Cardinal deaths and Cardinal-Designates)
(Updated on 7 Oct 2024 to reflect recent Cardinal deaths, Cardinal-Designates, and clarified Cardinal birthdates)
(Updated on 26 Nov 2024 to reflect a recent Cardinal death)
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