BOSTON, Aug. 8 (UPI) — John Cardinal Wright, the highest‐ranking American in the Roman Catholic. Church, said today that health problems would prevent him from participating in the conclave in Rome to select a new none.
The 69‐year‐old Cardinal Wright recently Amderwent surgery at the Tufts New England Medical Center to treat leg muscle ailment and has been hospitalized since late last month. He has been considered a remote possibility as a successor to Pope Paul VI. All Popes have been Italians for more than four centuries.
The Cardinal said vision problems and cataract surgery scheduled for later this month also contributed to his decision.
Only 8 of America's 12 cardinals will vote in the conclave. James McIntyre of Los Angeles, 92; Patrick O'Boyle of Washington, 82, and Lawrence Sheehan of Baltimore, 80, are all disqualified because of age.
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