Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith not among aspirants for papacy

"There is no such thing called contenders for papacy. Anyone out of the 252 in the College of Cardinals can be elected as the next pope," Member of the Communications Committee Archdiocese of Colombo Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando told Daily Mirror.

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The 117 cardinals who are eligible to vote will elect the new pope," he said.

Meanwhile, National Catholic Mass Communications Director Fr. Jude Krishantha told media that Cardinal Ranjith is a popular figure among the College of Cardinals. "I only said that Cardinal Ranjith is eligible to be elected for papacy. I never said he is a close contender," Fr. Krishantha told Daily Mirror. The new pope will be elected by the College of Cardinals who will assemble in Rome, usually 15-20 days after the pope's death. They will gather at the Sistine Chapel to begin their deliberations.