Cuban Cardinal's Role in Papal Conclave: A Profile of Faith and Modesty

As the world eagerly awaits the selection of a new Pope, an unexpected figure from the Caribbean emerges into the spotlight: Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez. His participation in the Conclave has sparked significant interest both within Cuba and internationally. But who is this man, described as "calm, austere, and unwavering in faith," representing the island during one of the Catholic Church's most pivotal moments?

Born in Camagüey in 1948, Cardinal García is the son of a political prisoner under the communist regime. Above all, he is known as a shepherd of the forgotten. His calling to the priesthood began in an unlikely setting: the baseball field. At the age of 13, a priest drew him to the seminary with the promise of baseball fields. This seemingly naive entry marked the start of a life devoted to serving God among the impoverished, the sick, and the sinners, as his mentor, the Servant of God Adolfo Rodríguez, would say, according to a profile by Religión en Libertad.

Ordained as a priest at 24, García spent much of his ministry traversing the most humble corners of Cuba. He lived with so little that when appointed Archbishop of Havana in 2016, he arrived with just a suitcase and no other belongings. In a society where power is often measured by opulence and hierarchy, García Rodríguez stands out for his humility, simplicity, and consistency in life. He avoids the limelight, shuns grandiose speeches; he speaks little but acts much, as the profile details.

During his eight-year tenure as Archbishop of Havana, García has been a model of closeness and service. Despite political and social pressures, he has remained alongside the people: in churches, homes, streets, and even at the Colón Cemetery, where he conducts morning masses with the faithful. In times when some of the Latin American episcopate are tempted by ideological shifts or complicit silence, Cardinal García has maintained a firm yet calm stance. He has spoken of justice, reconciliation, and human dignity without resorting to strident tones or making compromises that could endanger the soul of the Church.

His homilies are short, clear, and direct. His focus is on the essentials: that Cubans can live, eat, work, and die in peace. He claims there is nothing more revolutionary—or more Christian—than this simplicity filled with human and evangelical content. Theologian Paloma Girona has praised his sermons as "barojian," for their succinctness, descriptive nature, and straightforwardness, always putting himself in the shoes of his audience.

In January, the Cardinal expressed regret for not being involved in the Vatican's negotiations with the regime for the release of over 500 prisoners on the island, but he welcomed the decision and recalled that he had personally asked Pope Francis to advocate for the release of political prisoners.

Although not considered "papabile" by Vatican analysts, the mere presence of the Cuban Cardinal in the Conclave is a symbol for Latin America. The Catholic cardinals have agreed to begin the Conclave on May 7th in the Sistine Chapel to select Pope Francis's successor. This date was set on Monday, April 28th, during the fifth General Congregation held in the New Synod Hall. While the Conclave could have started on May 5th, they chose to delay it by two days for more informal meetings, exchanging views, and seeking consensus before entering the seclusion that characterizes the voting process.