Born April 6, 1956, in Guantánamo, Cuba, Father Espino is the third of six brothers and sisters. He came to Miami in 1961 with a sister and older brother (now deceased) as part of the Pedro Pan program, which ultimately spirited more than 14,000 children out of Cuba. He was named the fifth Rector of the National Shrine Ermita de la Caridad on February 1st, 2022 by His Excellency Archbishop Thomas Wenski. He also currently serves as archdiocesan liaison with Caritas Cuba.