A few hours after the conclave begins to choose the successor of the late Pope Francis, Cardinal Guatemalan Álvaro Ramazzini referred, in international media, to the responsibility of the 133 cardinals who will be in charge of one of the most important decisions of the Catholic Church.
Ramazzini is one of the 133 cardinals who will participate in the conclave since Wednesday, May 7, and who have the mission of choosing the new leader of the Catholic Church, after the death of Pope Francis, on April 21.
In statements to international media, Ramazzini said there is an atmosphere of trust and a sense of great responsibility to choose the new pontiff.
Because it is for me the first time, because I am entering a very unknown world and so far the experience that I have had has been very positive, that is, a good cordial atmosphere, of fraternity and although we do not know each other, well, I do not know many of the cardinals; However, there is an atmosphere of trust, Ramazzini said in an interview in Rome with Ewtn.
He added: And above all I perceive that there is a sense of great responsibility in what we have to do as cardinals.
Regarding whether he has a profile of the new Pope, Ramazzini said he has not thought about it, because he considers that in the course of the conclave, the Holy Spirit will illuminate my head and move my thoughts.
In addition, Ramazzini ruled out that there is polarization or groups among the cardinals.
No no. I haven’t really felt that. Of course, I have talked to some people who have told me that there have been statements of journalists who have spoken very subjectively, without really knowing what is happening, so I do not give too much importance, he said.
Migration, poverty and young people, fundamental issues
According to Ramazzini, migration was one of Pope Francis’s greatest concerns, so he considers that the fundamental issue will continue to be poverty, because if there were no poverty in our countries, there would be no migration. I myself come from a family that had to migrate to the United States, my mother and my brothers, for the situation of poverty in which we lived.
He talked about drug trafficking in Latin America and its impact on societies; In addition, regarding youth, Ramazzini stressed that it will be very necessary to continue with the way of being Pope Francis, which was a way of being very direct and very close to young people. No? And there we have the example of the World Youth Days. So that will have to continue developing it more and more.
Cardinal Álvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imei, 77, is a bishop of Huehuetenango. He was created Cardinal by Pope Francis.
Ramazzini has been a firm defender of indigenous rights, migrants, poor and marginalized.
During the Civil War of Guatemala (1960-1996), he also played a prominent role in promoting peace and reconciliation.
He has declared: I do not agree with the approval of abortion, nor of the death penalty, nor of equal marriage. It stands to reason; I am a priest.