Who is the Cuban Cardinal attending the Conclave to elect the new Pope?

Amid global anticipation for the election of the new Pope, an unexpected name resonates from the Caribbean: that of Cuban Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez.

His presence at the Conclave has sparked deep interest both within and outside of Cuba, but who is this man described as "calm, austere, and of unshakable faith" who represents the island at one of the most crucial moments for the Catholic Church?

Born in Camagüey in 1948, the son of a political prisoner from the communist regime, Cardinal García is, above all, a shepherd of the forgotten. His vocation began in an unusual setting: baseball. At the age of 13, a priest drew him to the seminary by promising him fields to play ball. This almost ingenuous entry marked the start of a life dedicated to serving God among the poor, the sick, and the sinners, as his mentor, the servant of God Adolfo Rodríguez, used to say, as reported by the outlet Religion in Freedom, which profiles the high prelate.

Ordained a priest at the age of 24, he spent much of his ministry journeying through the humblest corners of the Cuban landscape.

He lived with so little that when he was appointed archbishop of Havana in 2016, he arrived with just a briefcase and nothing else.

In a society where power is often measured by ostentation and hierarchy, García Rodríguez stood out for his selflessness, simplicity, and consistency in life. He does not seek the spotlight, does not impose grandiloquent speeches; he speaks little and acts a lot, the review notes.

He claims that during his eight years as Archbishop of Havana, he has been a reference of closeness and service. Despite the pressures of the political and social environment, he has remained alongside the people: in the parishes, in their homes, in the streets, even in the Colón cemetery, where he celebrates morning masses with the faithful.

In times when part of the Latin American episcopate has been tempted by ideological fluctuations or by complicit silence, Cardinal García has maintained a firm yet serene position, he adds.

He has spoken of justice, reconciliation, and human dignity, without resorting to stridency or making agreements that compromise the soul of the Church.

His homilies are brief, clear, and direct. His focus is on the essentials: that Cubans may live, eat, work, and die in peace. He asserts that there is nothing more revolutionary—nor more Christian—than that simplicity, rich in human and evangelical content.

The theologian Paloma Girona has described them as "Barojian," for being concise, descriptive, and getting straight to the point of ideas without rhetorical embellishments, always putting herself in the position of her audience.

In January, the cardinal expressed regret for not having participated in the regime's negotiations with the Vatican regarding the release of more than 500 prisoners on the island; however, he stated that he was pleased with the decision and recalled that on several occasions, he himself had requested Pope Francis to intercede for the release of political prisoners.

Although he may not be "electable" according to the analyses of Vatican experts, the mere presence of the Cuban cardinal in the Conclave serves as a symbol for Latin America.

The Catholic cardinals agreed to begin the conclave to elect the successor of Pope Francis on May 7 in the Sistine Chapel.

The date was agreed upon this Monday, April 28, during the fifth General Congregation held in the New Hall of the Synod.

Although the conclave could have started on May 5th, they chose to postpone it for two days to hold more informal meetings, exchange opinions, and seek consensus before entering the isolation that characterizes the voting process.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Cardinal at the Papal Conclave