Spanish-born Archbishop, Cardinal Cristobal Lopez Romero Expresses Nervousness and Curiosity Ahead of First Papal Conclave
Rabat, May 2024 — Cardinal Cristobal Lopez Romero, the Spanish-born archbishop of Rabat, has candidly shared his feelings about participating in his first papal conclave, scheduled to begin on May 7. The 72-year-old prelate, one of 133 cardinals worldwide eligible to vote, admitted he is experiencing a mixture of anxiety and curiosity as he prepares for the historic event.
When asked by AFP about his voting intentions, Lopez Romero stated, “I haven’t made any decisions yet.” He emphasized the reliance on divine guidance, saying, “We believe in the Holy Spirit, and we will see where it leads us.” The cardinal also clarified that he does not seek a “Francis mark II” or a similar figure, but rather hopes for a leader who embodies Christ’s virtues and demonstrates genuine Christian values, paying attention to global issues.
Appointed as a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019, Lopez Romero was born in Spain and has served as the archbishop of Morocco’s capital since 2017. His tenure there has been marked by a personal spiritual “conversion,” which he described as a shift in his approach toward his ministry. Notably, Lopez Romero revealed that he hears confessions only about twice a year, noting that Christians constitute less than one percent of Morocco’s population, which totals approximately 38 million. This demographic reality led him to realize that his role extends beyond serving the Church to serving the broader world, particularly the Muslim majority society.
Throughout the papal election process, Lopez Romero has actively participated in the “general congregations,” the daily meetings among cardinals where priorities for the new pontificate and the Church’s future direction are discussed. He highlighted that these meetings involve listening to perspectives from voices previously unheard, which he finds guiding and enlightening.
The conclave participants are residing at Casa Santa Marta, a modest residence on the Vatican grounds where Pope Francis also stayed. Strict protocols are in place to maintain secrecy: smartphones are prohibited, the Sistine Chapel is thoroughly checked for listening devices, and cardinals are forbidden from reading newspapers, listening to radio, or watching television during the process. The conclave’s procedures involve multiple votes daily until a candidate secures at least a two-thirds majority.
Lopez Romero expressed a mix of calm and anticipation, stating, “I’m not worried, but I am curious,” adding that he feels “a little apprehensive because I understand the weight of this responsibility,” yet remains confident because of his faith in the Holy Spirit. He also mentioned feeling “a certain happiness” about the process, hoping it concludes within a few days—preferably two or three.
Historically, the conclaves that elected Pope Francis and Benedict XVI took two days, but the longest in history lasted three years. Lopez Romero, meanwhile, expressed eagerness to return to Morocco, noting that he has been away for several days and feels a strong need to go back.
He also shared his vision for the Church’s future, emphasizing the importance of missionary work, especially in regions where Catholicism remains small in numbers, such as Morocco. “Thanks to Pope Francis, it has become clearer that the Church is universal, Catholic, and without geographical borders,” he said. Lopez Romero did not dismiss the possibility of a pope emerging from outside traditional Catholic regions, mentioning countries like Myanmar, East Timor, Australia, North America, or Africa as potential sources. However, he humorously ruled himself out as a candidate, joking, “It’s as if I said Messi is retiring and I’m going to replace him.”
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