Cardinal José Manuel Estepa Llaurens died on July 21. He was 93 years old.
For years, he was Archbishop Military Ordinary of Spain and was made cardinal in 2010 by Benedict XVI. At the time of his election, he was already over the age of 80 and therefore could not participate in another conclave. However, the now pope emeritus decided to elect him as special recognition for his work in writing the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis has sent a telegram thanking God for this cardinal's “generous service to the Church.”
After the death of José Manuel Estepa Llaurens, the number of cardinals drops to 218, 110 of whom are electors.
