Just in:Kenya’s cardinal to miss papal vote because of his critical ill health…watch wat happened to him👇👇

Just in:Kenya’s cardinal to miss papal vote because of his critical ill health…watch wat happened to him👇👇

Kenya’s Cardinal John Njue to Miss Papal Conclave Due to Ill Health
On May 7, 2025, the College of Cardinals will convene in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to begin the solemn and secretive process of electing the 267th pope, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. Among the 135 cardinals eligible to vote, one notable absence will be Kenya’s only cardinal, His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, who will not participate due to health concerns. This development has sparked discussions about African representation in the Catholic Church’s highest decision-making body, the significance of Cardinal Njue’s absence, and the broader context of the upcoming conclave. This article explores the circumstances surrounding Cardinal Njue’s absence, his legacy in the Kenyan Catholic Church, and the implications for the papal election.
Background: The Papal Conclave and Cardinal Njue’s Eligibility
The papal conclave is a centuries-old tradition in which cardinals under the age of 80 gather to elect the next Bishop of Rome, the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. A two-thirds majority, or at least 89 votes out of 135 eligible electors, is required to elect the new pontiff. The conclave, set to begin on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, follows the death of Pope Francis, who passed away due to a stroke and heart failure on Easter Monday.

Cardinal John Njue, the Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi, is one of Africa’s most senior Catholic prelates. Born in Embu, Kenya, in 1946, Njue was ordained a priest in 1973 and elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007, making him Kenya’s second-ever cardinal after Cardinal Maurice Otunga. His eligibility to vote in the conclave was recently confirmed after the Vatican updated his birth record in the Pontifical Yearbook to January 1, 1946, ensuring he remains under the canonical age limit of 80 for papal electors until January 1, 2026.

Njue’s distinguished career includes serving as the Archbishop of Nairobi from 2007 to 2021, as well as two terms as president of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (1997–2003 and 2006–2015). He is also a member of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization. Despite his eligibility and an official invitation to participate in the conclave, Njue will not travel to Rome, as confirmed by the Archdiocese of Nairobi.

Health Concerns and Controversy Surrounding Njue’s Absence
The Archdiocese of Nairobi, led by Archbishop Philip Anyolo, issued a statement on May 6, 2025, clarifying that Cardinal Njue’s absence is due to ill health, which prevents him from traveling to Rome. “Although [the cardinal] 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,” Archbishop Anyolo stated. He urged the faithful to pray for Njue’s recovery and for the success of the conclave.

This announcement followed conflicting reports that added intrigue to Njue’s absence. On May 5, 2025, Cardinal Njue told the Daily Nation that he had not received an official invitation to the conclave and denied that his absence was due to health issues. “Those who go there for the election are usually sent official invites, and that has not happened on my part. It is not because of health… I don’t know… really, it’s difficult to comment about it,” he said. These remarks sparked speculation about whether Njue had been overlooked by the Vatican or if there was a misunderstanding regarding his invitation.

The Nairobi Archdiocese’s subsequent clarification aimed to address these concerns, emphasizing that Njue had been invited but was unable to attend due to medical reasons. Posts on X reflected public confusion and debate, with some users questioning the transparency of the process. One user remarked, “Drama as Kenya’s Cardinal John Njue claims he wasn’t invited to vote for the new pope. But the Archdiocese of Nairobi refutes this, confirming he was invited—but couldn’t attend due to health. Who’s telling the truth?” Another expressed disappointment, noting, “He’s the only cardinal we have in Kenya buana…”

The exact nature of Cardinal Njue’s health issues has not been disclosed, though sources within the Archdiocese of Nairobi have indicated that he has been unwell for some time, limiting his public appearances. In January 2025, Njue himself acknowledged his declining health during a church service, stating, “As you can see, I am not very strong, but I committed to coming and celebrating this mass with you.”

African Representation in the Conclave
Cardinal Njue’s absence, alongside that of Spain’s Cardinal Antonio Cañizares, who is also missing the conclave due to health reasons, reduces the number of voting cardinals to 133. Of the 135 eligible electors, 18 are from Africa, representing 13% of the total and 17 African nations, including Algeria, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and South Africa. This is significant, as Africa is home to nearly 20% of the global Catholic population, and the continent’s influence in the Church has been growing.

The Vatican’s recent correction of birth records for Njue and Burkina Faso’s Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo, adjusting their birth years to 1946 and 1947, respectively, ensured their eligibility to vote, amplifying African representation. However, Njue’s absence means Kenya, a key Catholic nation in East Africa, will not have a direct voice in the conclave, marking the first time in over 50 years that Kenya has not participated in a papal election.

This has raised concerns about the continent’s influence in shaping the Church’s future. Africa’s 29 cardinals, of whom 18 are eligible voters, are seen as critical to reflecting the Church’s growing base in the Global South. Issues such as migration, conflict, and the theology of communion, which were discussed during pre-conclave meetings, are particularly relevant to African cardinals. Njue’s absence, as a seasoned leader with decades of experience, is considered a significant loss to these deliberations.

The Broader Context of the Conclave
The conclave comes at a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church, which faces challenges such as divisions over Pope Francis’s progressive reforms, including blessings for same-sex partners and discussions on women’s roles in the Church. Cardinals have expressed hope for a new pope with a “pastoral spirit rooted in dialogue and relationship-building across religious and cultural boundaries.” Leading candidates include Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Luis Antonio Tagle, Matteo Zuppi, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa, each with over a 10% probability of selection, according to betting site Polymarket.

The absence of Njue and Cañizares slightly alters the dynamics of the vote, though the impact is expected to be minimal given the large number of electors. The conclave is anticipated to last two to four days, with multiple rounds of voting until a candidate secures the required two-thirds majority. The process, steeped in tradition and secrecy, will unfold under Michelangelo’s Last Judgment fresco in the Sistine Chapel, with the world awaiting the announcement of the new pope.

Cardinal Njue’s Legacy and Kenya’s Role in the Church
Cardinal Njue has been a towering figure in Kenya’s Catholic Church, known for his intellectual rigor and leadership. Holding doctorates in philosophy and theology from Pontifical Urbaniana University and Pontifical Lateran University, respectively, he has served in various roles, including as a professor at St. Augustine Senior Seminary and chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference’s Justice and Peace Commission. His elevation to cardinal in 2007 marked a milestone for Kenya, following in the footsteps of Cardinal Maurice Otunga, who participated in papal conclaves in 1978.

Njue’s absence from the conclave does not diminish his contributions or Kenya’s growing influence in global Catholicism. With over 30% of Kenya’s population identifying as Catholic, the country remains a vital part of the Church’s African base. The Nairobi Archdiocese’s call for prayers reflects the hope that Njue will recover and continue to guide the faithful, even if from afar.

Conclusion
Cardinal John Njue’s absence from the 2025 papal conclave due to ill health is a significant moment for Kenya and the global Catholic Church. While his inability to participate has sparked debate and disappointment, it underscores the challenges of health and age in the Church’s highest ranks. As the conclave proceeds, the absence of Kenya’s only cardinal will be felt, particularly given Africa’s rising prominence in the Church. However, the focus remains on the election of a new pope who will navigate the complex challenges facing the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. The faithful in Kenya and beyond are called to pray for Cardinal Njue’s recovery and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in selecting the next pontiff.