The Catholic Church Prepares for the Selection of a New Pope Following the Death of Jorge Bergoglio
Following the passing of Pope Francis, a conclave of cardinals will convene to elect his successor in the Vatican’s Sixtine Chapel. Among these 53 European and 23 Latin American cardinals with voting rights, the latter group holds a unique opportunity to select a regional representative and potentially elevate a Latin American to the highest position within the Catholic Church.
Key Latin American Cardinals Appointed by Pope Francis
Pope Francis appointed several influential Latin American cardinals during his pontificate, many of whom hold significant roles in their respective positions. Here’s an overview of these cardinals, their countries, and current functions:
Argentina
- Cardinal Mario Aurelio Poli: Succeeded Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Archbishop of Buenos Aires until his retirement on May 26, 2023. Appointed cardinal by Pope Francis in the 2014 consistory; currently aged 77.
- Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández: Current Archbishop of La Plata and Prefect of the Dicastery for Doctrine of Faith, one of the Vatican’s most prominent positions. Created cardinal in 2023; currently aged 62.
- Cardinal Ángel Sixto Rossi: Jesuit, like Pope Francis, is Archbishop of Córdoba. Created cardinal in 2023; currently aged 66. Known for his pastoral work and closeness to vulnerable communities.
- Cardinal Vicente Bokalic Iglic: Current Archbishop of Santiago del Estero, the primacy seat of the Argentine Church. Created cardinal in 2024; currently aged 72. Recognized for his commitment to social dialogue and popular pastoral.
Brazil
- Cardinal Sergio Da Rocha: Aged 65, created cardinal on November 19, 2016. Current Archbishop of Salvador de Bahía.
- Cardinal Leonardo Ulrich Steiner: Member of the Order of Friars Minor, Archbishop Metropolitan of Manaus and Vice President First of the Ecclesiastical Conference of the Amazon (CEAMA). Created cardinal in August 2022; currently aged 74.
- Cardinal Paulo Cezar Costa: One of the youngest cardinals in the country, aged 57. Current Archbishop of Brasilia and created cardinal in the 2022 consistory.
- Cardinal Jaime Spengler: Current Archbishop of Porto Alegre and President of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops, as well as the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM). Created cardinal in 2024; currently aged 64.
Chile
Colombia
Cuba
Ecuador
Guatemala
Haiti
Mexico
- Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega: Current Archbishop of Guadalajara. Aged 75, former president of the Mexican Episcopal Conference (2012-2018) and created cardinal by Benedict XVI.
- Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes: Primado of Mexico, aged 75, and cardinal since 2016. Close friend of Pope Francis.
- Cardinal Leopoldo José Brenes Solórzano: Current Archbishop of Managua. Created cardinal by Pope Francisco; currently aged 75.
Nicaragua
Paraguay
Perú
Uruguay
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the Latin American cardinals participating in the conclave? The 23 Latin American cardinals with voting rights include representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
- What are the roles of these cardinals within their respective countries? These cardinals hold various positions, including archbishops and presidents of national episcopal conferences. Some are also members of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
- How were these cardinals appointed? Many of these Latin American cardinals were appointed by Pope Francis during his pontificate, reflecting his commitment to strengthening the Church’s presence in the region.
