Catholic Cardinal Roger Mahony will help elect a new pope, despite recently being rebuked for not doing more to stop sexual abuse by priests when he led the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

Mahony has been barred from public duties in the archdiocese by the current archbishop because of revelations about his past handling of clergy pedophile cases. But Mahony remains in good standing as archbishop emeritus.

Mahony says he looks forward to traveling to Rome to participate in the conclave that will choose the next pope.

He also participated in the conclave that elected Pope Benedict in 2005. Mahony says Benedict was an "extraordinary successor to St. Peter" and adds that the church will continue to be blessed by his prayers and writings.