Cuban Cardinal Attends Rome Conclave to Elect New Pope

The Archbishop of Havana, Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez, attended the funeral of Pope Francis this past Saturday. The Pope passed away last Monday at the Vatican due to a stroke followed by irreversible heart failure, a diagnosis confirmed by an echocardiogram.

At 76 years old, the Archbishop from Havana is among the "cardinal electors," those under the age of 80 who are eligible to vote in the Conclave that will select the 266th successor of Peter and 267th Bishop of Rome. García Rodríguez, born on July 11, 1948, in Camagüey, has played a significant role in the Catholic Church in Cuba. He was ordained as a priest in 1972 and has served in various capacities, including Archbishop of Camagüey and President of the Episcopal Conference of Cuba. In 2016, Pope Francis appointed him as Archbishop of Havana, and in 2019, he was made a cardinal. His episcopal motto is "Go and proclaim the Gospel."

Although it is unlikely that García Rodríguez will be chosen as Pope, he is considered one of the "eligible cardinals" who might be considered for the Throne of Saint Peter. His involvement in this historic event is a source of pride for the Catholic community on the island, who view his presence as a testament to the vitality and dedication of the Cuban Church to the future of the universal Church.

The departure of the Cuban prelate was met with an outpouring of support and prayers. From Havana, Father Elixander Torres Pérez expressed feeling "blessed" and urged prayers for the Cuban cardinal, asking the Holy Spirit to guide the entire College of Cardinals in their crucial task of selecting a new Pastor "according to the heart of Jesus."

Conclave Details and Global Participation

The Conclave will take place at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, following the funeral and general congregations where cardinals will discuss the Church's primary challenges and needs before electing a new Pontiff. The Pope died in Rome at the age of 88. After his death, the Vatican released his spiritual testament, written in 2022, expressing his wish to be buried in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, a significant location he visited before and after each apostolic journey.

For his funeral, held on Saturday, April 26, over 200,000 people gathered early in the morning in St. Peter's Square and the Via della Conciliazione. During the mass, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the Pope's dedication to peace, care for the poor, and closeness to the people were highlighted. Prayers were offered in multiple languages, including Chinese, an unprecedented occurrence in papal funerals.

The ceremony included delegations from 148 countries, ten kings, and representatives from ten international organizations. Notably, Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were present. From Cuba, President Miguel Díaz-Canel did not attend. Instead, Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa traveled to Rome on Friday morning to lead the island's delegation.