Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga, C.S.Sp., is one of two Spiritan Cardinals. He is the only Spiritan who is an elector in the upcoming conclave. When Pope Francis elevated him to the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Nzapalainga was the first Cardinal from the Central African Republic and the youngest of the Cardinals at the time. 

Here are some quick facts about Cardinal Nzapalainga. 

Born:  March 14, 1967 in Mbomou, in the diocese of Bangassou, Central African Republic
Took Perpetual Vows as a Spiritan: September 6, 1997
Ordained: August 9, 1998
Positions: 

• Regional Superior in Central African Republic
• Chaplain of the orphans of the Fondation d’Auteuil and assistant priest at St. Jerôme, Marseille
• President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Central Africa
• Apostolic Administrator of Bangui
• Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangui

Elevated to Cardinal: November 19, 2016
Member of: Dicasteries for the Evangelization; for Inter-religious Dialogue

The article,  Tragedies and ‘miracles’ in the Central African Republic (CAR) by Fr. Tony Neves, C.S.Sp., offers insight into his life and work in the CAR. 

He is the youngest Cardinal of the Church and a Spiritan Missionary. He spent a week at the Generalate House of the Congregation in Rome, involved in countless meetings, contacts and interviews. Long conversations and celebrations helped to put together the profile of a courageous missionary and show the reality of a country which is still torn by violence – violence that shows few signs of coming to an end. The Pope’s visit to Bangui, the Inter Religious Platform for Peace and the many interventions in the context of extreme violence give hope for a better future to this country in the heart of Africa.

Read more.

The other Spiritan Cardinal, Maurice Piat, C.S.Sp., is not an elector because he is over the age of 80. He spoke recently, however, about the legacy of Pope Francis.