A cardinal from Burkina Faso, Philippe Ouédraogo, might not be allowed to vote in the next papal election because no one is sure how old he really is.

There’s a rule in the Catholic Church that says only cardinals under 80 years old can vote for a new Pope. But there is confusion about whether Cardinal Ouédraogo is already 80 or still 79.

One document says he was born on January 24, 1945, which would make him 80 years old. But another says he was born on December 31, 1945, which means he would still be 79 and allowed to vote.

If he joins the voting and later it turns out he was too old, the whole election result could be canceled.

Cardinal Ouédraogo is known for his conservative views and could influence the vote, especially among those who want to return to more traditional Church teachings.

Some people are questioning the sudden change in his listed birth date. One newspaper joked that he had “found the secret to stopping time.”

The cardinal explained the situation simply: he was born at home in a village with no hospitals or schools, so he never got an official birth date.

This unusual case has drawn attention as the Church prepares to elect the next Pope.