NAIROBI — Kenya’s former Archbishop, John Cardinal Njue, will not attend the Vatican conclave to elect the next pope, citing health concerns, according to a statement issued Monday by the Archdiocese of Nairobi.
Although officially invited and eligible to vote in the highly anticipated gathering of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Njue, 80, has been advised against travelling to Rome for the event, which begins 7 May.
“Owing to his current health condition, His Eminence John Cardinal Njue will be unable to travel to Rome and take part in the conclave,” wrote Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi, in a public letter to the media.
The Archbishop clarified that Njue’s non-participation is not due to any restrictions from the Vatican. In fact, he said, the invitation was formally delivered through the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya in coordination with the Holy See.
Cardinal Njue, who served as Archbishop of Nairobi from 2007 until his retirement in 2021, remains one of the few African prelates eligible to vote in a papal election. His absence underscores concerns about the ability of ageing cardinals to travel for such critical events.
“As the College of Cardinals prepares to enter into conclave tomorrow,” Archbishop Anyolo added, “I earnestly urge all the faithful to pray that the Holy Spirit may guide the Cardinals.”
The conclave will bring together cardinals under the age of 80 from around the world to elect a new pope. The outcome will shape the future direction of the Catholic Church amid global challenges, from declining vocations to questions about reform.
Archbishop Anyolo concluded the statement by calling on Kenyans and Catholics worldwide to also pray for Cardinal Njue’s continued recovery and good health.
The Vatican has not commented on the Cardinal’s absence, but it is expected that the conclave will proceed as planned with eligible participants who are able to attend.
