The archbishop of Havana, Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez, attended the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away last Monday in the Vatican due to a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure, a diagnosis confirmed by echocardiogram.
With 76 years of age, the Archbishop of Havana is also part of the select group of "cardinal electors", those who, being under 80 years old, have the right to vote in the Conclave, which will elect the 266th successor of Peter and 267th Bishop of Rome.
García Rodríguez, born on July 11, 1948, in Camagüey, is a prominent figure in the Catholic Church in Cuba. He was ordained a priest in 1972 and has held various roles, including archbishop of Camagüey and president of the Episcopal Conference of Cuba. In 2016, he was appointed archbishop of Havana by Pope Francis, and in 2019, he was made cardinal. His episcopal motto is "Go and proclaim the Gospel."
Furthermore, although his election as Pope is unlikely, García Rodríguez is also listed among the so-called "eligible cardinals", meaning those who could be considered to occupy the Throne of St. Peter.
The participation of the Cuban cardinal in this historic process is a source of pride for the Catholic community on the island, which sees in his presence a sign of the vitality and commitment of the Church in Cuba to the future of the universal Church.
The departure of the cardinal was accompanied by numerous expressions of support and prayers. From Havana, the parish priest Elixander Torres Pérez expressed that he felt "blessed," and asked for prayers for the Cuban cardinal, requesting the Holy Spirit to guide the entire College of Cardinals in the important task of choosing a Shepherd "according to the heart of Jesus."
The Conclave, which will take place in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, is called after the celebration of the funeral and the general congregations, in which the cardinals will discuss the main challenges and needs of the Church before voting for the new Pontiff.
The Pope passed away in Rome at the age of 88. In the hours following his death, the Vatican also released the spiritual testament of the Pope, written in 2022, where he expressed his wish to be buried in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, an iconic place he visited before and after each apostolic trip.
For his funeral, held this Saturday, April 26, more than 200,000 people gathered from early hours in St. Peter's Square and the Via della Conciliazione. During the Mass, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, his commitment to peace, care for the poor, and closeness to the people were remembered. Prayers were spoken in several languages, including Chinese, an unprecedented occurrence in papal funerals.
The ceremony featured the presence of delegations from 148 countries, ten kings, and representatives from ten international organizations. Notably, the kings of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia, were among them.
On Cuba's behalf, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel did not attend. Instead, Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa traveled to Rome on Friday morning to lead the Island's delegation.
Frequently asked questions about the Conclave and the political situation in Cuba following the death of Pope Francis
Who is the Cuban cardinal participating in the Conclave to elect the new Pope?
The Cuban cardinal participating in the Conclave is Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez, archbishop of Havana. Born in Camagüey in 1948, he was ordained a priest in 1972 and has held significant roles within the Catholic Church in Cuba, including that of archbishop of Camagüey and president of the Cuban Episcopal Conference.
Why didn't Miguel Díaz-Canel attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome?
Miguel Díaz-Canel did not attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome; instead, Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa led the Cuban delegation. The Cuban government did not provide an official reason for Díaz-Canel's absence from the funeral services.
How did the Catholic Church in Cuba react to the death of Pope Francis?
The Catholic Church in Cuba expressed its sorrow over the death of Pope Francis and called on the faithful to join in prayer and celebrate Masses in his memory. The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba highlighted the Pope's legacy of faith and mercy and his commitment to the poor and the unity of the Church.
What impact did Pope Francis have on the relations between Cuba and the Holy See?
Pope Francis played a significant role in strengthening relations between Cuba and the Holy See, as well as in the diplomatic thaw between Cuba and the United States. During his papacy, he maintained a close relationship with the Cuban regime, although he was criticized for not openly addressing the human rights situation on the island.
Filed under: