The Archdiocese of Nairobi has announced that Cardinal John Njue will not travel to Rome to take part in the concave.
In a statement dated Tuesday, May 6, Archbishop Philip Anyolo detailed that Njue was sick and unable to travel to Rome.
He added that the cardinal was eligible to participate in the conclave and had received an invitation.
Anyolo released the statement after several Kenyans questioned whether the cardinal would be travelling to Rome for the exercise.
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"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," read the statement in part.
Further, Anyolo called on Kenyans to continue praying who the cardinals who are tasked with picking the next Pope.
The new Pope will be replacing Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday after months of ill health.
"Before the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel, there will be a prayer service conducted in Latin. After the Cardinals process into the Chapel, they will take an oath, and the former Preacher of the Papal Household, Cardinal Cantalamessa, will give a sermon. Then, the first round of voting will commence," the Vatican announced.
And behind those closed doors, the process of electing the new Successor of St. Peter will begin as millions watch – from St. Peter’s Square and on television – to see the white smoke billow out from the chimney, announcing a new papacy."
