Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan of Mexico, who participated in the
conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, stressed the great
responsibility undertaken by the cardinals who will choose the next
Pope.
In an interview with CNA on Feb. 21, Cardinal Lozano Barragan explained
that participating in a conclave is “a very beautiful experience,” but
because of the responsibility it entails, it is “not at all desirable.”
“First of all it means being responsible before God and then before the
entire world,” he said, noting that it is “no small thing” to choose
someone with the “ability to be the center of unity and strength for the
1.2 billion Catholics throughout the world.”
During the conclaves, he explained, the cardinals become instruments of
the Holy Spirit to elect a new Pope, and therefore, “they have to be up
to the task.”
Cardinal Lozano turned 80 in January and is therefore not eligible to
vote in the upcoming conclave in March.
However, he recalled his
experience during the 2005 conclave, saying that the cardinals believed
Cardinal Ratzinger to be the man most suited to be Pope.
“I think that with the help of the Holy Spirit we were not wrong,” he said.
Cardinal Lozano worked for years at the Vatican as president of the
Pontifical Council for Health Care, and he has known Pope Emeritus
Benedict XVI for 32 years. He served as special secretary to Benedict –
who was simply known as Cardinal Ratzinger at the time – for a little
over a year doing work for the 1980 Synod of Bishops on the family.
In addition, he said that then-Cardinal Ratzinger was the first to
congratulate him when he was made a cardinal by Blessed John Paul II in
2003.
The Mexican cardinal recalled his close friendship with Benedict XVI and
said that when he was elected Pope, “I wanted to kneel down to greet
him according to protocol but he wouldn’t let me. He said, ‘We have
known each other for 25 years.’”
Cardinal Lozano said that Benedict XVI was a Pope with a deep understanding of our times.
“He was not a static Pope, he was a Pope who always looked to future,” the cardinal explained.
In resigning from the papacy, he added, Benedict XVI showed “great sincerity” and was an example for many.
“I am sure that he will continue to sustain the Church with his prayers and his study,” Cardinal Lozano said.