José Cobo Cano
During an interview, Cobo sparked controversy when he stated that he would not officiate same-sex marriages, comparing the act to celebrating the Eucharist with Coca-Cola.José Cobo was born on 20 September 1965 in the municipality of Sabiote, Andalusia, where he was baptized in the Parochial Church of San Pedro [es].[6] He started his ministry as deputy at Hermandades del Trabajo de Madrid, a Catholic evangelist and social work organization (1994–1996).These include the Cross with the Five Holy Wounds, a representation of his faith; a bell, reflecting his role in guiding the people of God through various situations; a wash-basin, reflecting his servitude to others; and a broken wall with a star in the background, referencing the discovery of the Virgin of Almudena and his town's patron saint, the Virgin of the Star [es].[i][23] His promotion was not well received within Madrid's clergy due to his lack of experience; he broke the tradition of the last five archbishops having to pass through other archbishoprics before reaching the capital.[4][26][27] Earlier in 2023, the Pope had also made other contentious nominations, Francisco José Prieto Fernández [es] and Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva; both auxiliary bishops, were elevated to the positions of archbishops of Santiago de Compostela and Buenos Aires, respectively.[30] In an interview at World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Cobo criticized the church as being manipulated by "ideological interests" and as an instrument to win votes and reaffirm political positions.