Cardinal John Njue, 79, will not participate in the upcoming papal conclave despite being within the eligible voting age, the Archdiocese of Nairobi has confirmed.
Growing speculation over the retired cardinal’s absence prompted clarification from Church officials, who attributed his non-attendance to ongoing health challenges that have restricted his ability to travel and take part in major Church events.
Speaking to ACI Africa, the Catholic News Agency’s regional partner, insiders noted that Cardinal Njue’s condition has limited his public engagements, including his involvement in key ecclesiastical functions like the conclave.
In a rare public appearance in January 2025 at St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church in Tena, the cardinal addressed concerns about his health.
“As you can see, I am not very strong, but I committed to coming and celebrating this Mass with you,” he told worshippers. “There is a lot of work to be done in God’s vineyard, and you are the ones to do it. It is your time.”
His appearance followed false online rumors about his death — reports that the Archdiocese quickly refuted.
Cardinal Njue is not the only prelate stepping back from the conclave due to health reasons. Spain’s Cardinal Antonio Cañizares, 78, has also confirmed through the Archdiocese of Valencia that he will not be attending for similar reasons.
Although the Vatican initially disclosed that two cardinals would miss the conclave for health-related issues, it withheld names until official confirmation was provided by their dioceses.
Ordained in 1973 by Pope Paul VI, Njue has had a distinguished career in the Kenyan Catholic Church — serving as Bishop of Embu, Archbishop of Nairobi, and twice as president of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops. He was elevated to cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.
Though retired since 2021, Njue remains listed as a member of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelisation. His date of birth — 1 January 1946 — means he remains eligible to vote in a conclave until the end of 2025.
With Njue and Cañizares unable to attend, the number of eligible cardinal electors stands at 133. A new pope must secure at least 89 votes — a two-thirds majority — to be elected leader of the Catholic Church’s 1.4 billion followers.