The Vatican did not name them but a source at the archdiocese of Valencia confirmed to AFP that its archbishop emeritus, Cardinal Antonio Canizares, would not be attending the conclave due to health reasons.

A total of 135 cardinals are eligible to vote in the secret ceremony in the Sistine Chapel, which begins on May 7 and is expected to last for several days.

If all the others attend, there will be 133 cardinals present.

The winner to succeed Pope Francis will require at least a two-thirds majority, a figure that now falls to 89.

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© Agence France-Presse