In Summary
- Archbishop Anyolo said that Cardinal Njue is eligible and was officially invited through the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya.
- He, however, cannot travel to Rome due to his health condition.
Nairobi, Kenya – Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi has officially confirmed that His Eminence John Cardinal Njue will not take part in the forthcoming papal conclave at the Vatican due to health reasons, despite being eligible and invited to attend.
In a statement released on Monday, Archbishop Anyolo clarified growing public interest and media speculation regarding the cardinal’s participation in the election of a new pope, scheduled to begin on May 7, 2025.
“In response to various enquiries concerning whether His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, will be participating in the forthcoming conclave scheduled to commence on 7th May, 2025, I hereby confirm that although His Eminence is eligible to participate and was officially invited through the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya, the Apostolic Nuncio, in concurrence with the Office of the Archbishop of Nairobi, duly communicated to the competent office of the Holy See that, owing to his current health condition, His Eminence John Cardinal Njue will be unable to travel to Rome and take part in the Conclave,” the statement read.
Cardinal Njue, 80, served as Archbishop of Nairobi from 2007 until his retirement in 2021. He remains one of Kenya’s most senior and respected Catholic leaders.
Archbishop Anyolo further appealed to the faithful to offer prayers for Cardinal Njue’s health and for the College of Cardinals as they prepare to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
“As the College of Cardinals prepares to enter into conclave tomorrow, I earnestly urge all the faithful to pray that the Holy Spirit may guide the Cardinals as they undertake the solemn duty of electing our next Holy Father, who will shepherd the Universal Church,” he said. “Let us also continue to pray for the good health of His Eminence John Cardinal Njue.”
The Vatican, through Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, had earlier noted in an April 29 briefing that two cardinal electors would not participate in the conclave due to health issues, though their identities were not disclosed at the time.
According to the Catholic News Agency (CNA), the second absent cardinal is believed to be Cardinal Antonio Cañizares, the former Archbishop of Valencia, Spain.
The conclave, which begins on Tuesday, May 7, will bring together eligible cardinals from across the world to elect the successor to Pope Francis.
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