Card. Alberto Suarez Inda has turned 80. He was Archbishop of Morelia, Mexico, an area Pope Francis harshly denounced for drug trafficking. In 2014 alone, it is estimated that there were one thousand homicides related to drug dealing.
POPE FRANCIS
Feb. 16, 2016
'It's a lie that the only way of living or being young is by leaving life in the hands of drug traffickers. It's a boldface lie.”
Alberto Suárez Inda was appointed bishop in 1985 and cardinal in 2015. The appointment took him by surprise, since it was a year before he presented his resignation for reasons of age.
Pope Francis's decision led Card. Alberto to be jokingly asked if he could possibly be the next pope.
CARD. ALBERTO SUÁREZ INDA
Archbishop emeritus of Morelia (Mexico)
“Look, any priest or any bishop can be elected pope. However, I certainly may have greater chances than my niece. God knows who He will choose in the future. But whoever has ambitions to be Pope, is a bad candidate.”
Card. Alberto Suarez Inda will not be able to vote in the next Conclave. This is because those who reach age 80 lose the right to participate in electing the next pope. At this moment, the number of voters remaining are 123 cardinals.