The Catholic church has dismissed claims that Kenya’s Cardinal John Njue was not invited to the Pope’s election.
The Archdiocese of Nairobi noted that the Cardinal had received an invitation but was unable to attend due to health issues of the 79-year-old.
The Archdiocese also mentioned that an official invitation had been sent through the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya.
They further affirmed that the Vatican had been informed of the Cardinal’s absence due to his current health condition.
“In response to various inquiries concerning whether His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, will be participating on the forthcoming conclave scheduled to commence on 7th May, 2025, I hereby confirm that although His Emminence 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” part of the statement read.
The clarification is different from what Cardinal Njue said during an interview with the Daily Nation, where he alleged that he had not been invited to Papal’s conclave and his absence was not because of his health.
