There should be 135 cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave, but the number has dropped to 133. Two cardinals will be absent and will not travel to Rome, and therefore will not enter the Sistine Chapel.
One is the Spaniard Antonio Cañizares, Archbishop Emeritus of Valencia. He is 79 years old and will turn 80 in October, which puts him at the threshold of voting eligibility. Although he is an elector, he has decided not to participate for health reasons.
The second cardinal's identity was initially withheld. However, it is now known that the cardinal is John Njue of Kenya, who will also not be in Rome due to health issues.
Originally, it appeared that the cardinal Vinko Puljić of Bosnia, aged 79, would also be absent, as he initially stated that he would not go to Rome. Doctors had advised him against traveling.
The Archbishop Emeritus of Sarajevo stated that he would only travel if the Vatican requested it. However, he has now received medical clearance and will be able to vote for the new pope.
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