The death of Pope Francis last Monday, April 21, has generated a lot of commotion, as it usually happens, around the possible successors. Among the candidates who will attend the conclave are two Andalusian personalities: José Cobo, Archbishop of Madrid, from Jaén, and the Archbishop of Rabat, Cristóbal López, from Almeria.
The latter, a Salesian originally from Velez-Rubio, has spent most of his career in Paraguay, where he settled for 18 years.
With a degree in Journalism from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and ordained a priest in the same city in 1952, he has also developed his activity in Bolivia and Morocco, where he has lived since 2003. In 2017 he was appointed archbishop of Rabat and a year later Pope Francis himself elevated him as a cardinal.
Thus, he was one of the trusted persons of the pontiff, whose funeral will be held before April 26. The profile of Cardinal Cristobal Lopez is in line with the concerns and inclinations of Pope Francis, with special attention to minorities and the South, establishing dialogue with other religions.
Four Spanish candidates
Cristóbal López Romero is not, however, the only Spaniard who will participate in the conclave to choose the new pope. Specifically, of the 130 cardinals who will vote from May 5, there are four Spaniards.
For there to be a white smoke, two thirds of the votes must be in favor of the same candidate.