MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Cardinal-designate Jose Lacunza Maestrojuan of David, Panama, learned of his elevation to cardinal via his smartphone.
His sister, living in Spain, sent him a short message via the instant messaging service WhatsApp asking, “You have nothing to tell me? The pope has made new announcements. This doesn’t affect you?” the Spanish website teinteresa.es reported.
Cardinal-designate Lacunza confessed he considered the idea of being elevated to cardinal “crazy,” though a congratulatory phone call from Nicaraguan Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes Solorzano of Managua made him think the message was no joke.
Like most of the 20 new cardinals Pope Francis named Jan. 4, the news of his elevation came as a surprise. And like many of the others who will be elevated into the College of Cardinals Feb. 14, he has worked in one of the world’s more peripheral regions and focused heavily on social matters.
“He is recognized (in Panama) because he has been a bishop very close to and very sensitive to social subjects,” said journalist Eunice Meneses, who works in the Archdiocese of Panama City. “He has been a mediator in conflicts.”