130 Cardinals Break Church Law in 2025 Conclave . Legal status; Conclave Irritus, Illicit and Invalid.
The only discussion of a "dispensation" during the 2025 conclave preparations related to the total number of cardinal electors, which exceeded the standard limit of 120. Pope Francis had previously issued a dispensation[in violation of UDG n76] allowing all created cardinals under 80 to vote, even if the total number surpassed the traditional cap. This was affirmed by the College of Cardinals during the general congregations before the conclave began.
An election without the proper number of electors is invalid (Cf. CIC 1983, Canons 119 §1, 161 §3 and 172 §1)
An election which violates precepts regarding procedure, renders the election irritus, that is of no legal value, (Cf. CIC 1983, Canon 124 §1)
We see these principles affirmed in the present Papal Law, Universi Domini Gregis (UDG), in n. 76, where it reads in the Vatican’s English translation:
76. Should the election take place in a way other than that prescribed in the present Constitution, or should the conditions laid down here not be observed, the election is for this very reason null and void, without any need for a declaration on the matter; consequently, it confers no right on the one elected.
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