La Paz, Bolivia, May 29, 2018 / 11:25 am
In a statement Tuesday, Bolivian bishop and Cardinal-elect Toribio Ticona strongly denounced rumors that he has a wife and children.
"As a result of the false accusation which is being spread in the media regarding my private life, it is my duty to declare and emphatically make clear that its content does not correspond to the truth," Bishop Ticona said in a statement released by the Bolivian Bishops' Conference.
The bishop said he interprets the rumors as an attack not only against himself, but against Pope Francis, who recently chose him to be elevated to the position of cardinal.
"If these accusations persist, I will have no problem filing a libel lawsuit against those promoting or propagating this," he said.