- The new pope will be chosen by cardinals from around the world during the conclave, it will probably start on May 5
- Among the cardinals appointed by popes are the so -called “In Pectore”. Most often it is about clergy from countries where the Church is persecuted and in which a papal decision could attract various repression on a potential cardinal
- John Paul II was the last pope who appointed “In Pectore” cardinals. There were four of them, but one of them lost this dignity at the moment of the Pope's death from Poland
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Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88. “At 7.35 in the morning the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to his father's house. His whole life was devoted to the service of the Lord and his Church” – Donated Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerling of the Holy Roman Church. Cardinals from around the world during the conclave will choose a new pope. It will probably start on May 5.
Cardinals are appointed by the Pope. By making public names, they can also stipulate that he will not disclose some names and only announces that he carries them “in the heart” – “In Pectore”. Most often it is about clergy from countries where the Church is persecuted and in which a papal decision could attract various repression on a potential cardinal.
The Pope appoints “In Pectore” cardinals
As soon as the situation allows it, the Pope then reveals these “secret” names. This was the case, for example, with a Chinese cardinal, who died in 2000 with retired archbishop of Shanghai Ignatius Gong Ping-Mei. John Paul II appointed him a cardinal at his 1st Consistory in 1979, but due to the hard anti -church position of the Chinese authorities he could not announce his name. He did this only when, after a few years, as a result of talks with the government in Beijing, the hierarch left his country and found himself in exile in the USA. In the consistory in 1991, almost 90-year-old priest could receive a cardinal biret.
Two other cardinals “In Pectore” from the time of the pontificate of the Polish Pope are Janis Pujats, an archbishop of Riga and Marian Jaworski, archbishop from Lviv. The fourth cardinal “In Pectore” John Paul II appointed in 2003, but his name did not manage to disclose, nor did he leave any disposal in his will in his will and after the death of Karol Wojtyła this choice ceased to apply
And it was John Paul II that was the last pope who appointed the cardinals “in Pectore”. Neither Benedict XVI nor Franciszek decided on such a movement. He reveals the name of such a cardinal before his death or writes in a will.
Pope Francis is dead. Polish cardinals among the participants of the conclave
There are currently five cardinals in the Catholic Church in Poland: Stanisław Dziwisz, Stanisław Ryłko, Kazimierz Nycz, Konrad Krajewski and Grzegorz Ryś. However, they have the right to choose the pope only four last, because Cardinal Dziwisz is already 80 years old.
Here are the silhouettes of Polish cardinals:
Stanisław Dziwisz He was born on April 27, 1939, he is the archbishop of the Krakow senior. He became a cardinal under the decision of Pope Benedict XVI on March 24, 2006. On April 27, 2019, on his 80th birthday, he lost his right to participate in the conclave.
Stanisław Dziwisz
Stanisław Ryłko He was born on July 4, 1945. He is the archivivist of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Loved (Our Lady of Snow) in Rome. This is where Pope Francis is to be buried. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on November 24, 2007. He could participate in conclave until July 4, 2025.
Stanisław Ryłko
Kazimierz Nycz He was born on February 1, 1950. He is the Warsaw Senior Archbishop. He received the dignity of the cardinal on November 20, 2010 by the decision of Pope Benedict XVI. Retains the right to participate in the conclave until February 1, 2030.
Kazimierz Nycz
Konrad Krajewski He was born on November 25, 1963. He was a close collaborator of the deceased Pope, he was a papal alms and the prefect of the dicasteries for the ministry of mercy. He became a cardinal on June 28, 2018 by the decision of Pope Francis. He keeps the right to participate in the conclave until November 25, 2043.
Konrad Krajewski
Grzegorz Ryś He was born on February 9, 1964. He is currently the Metropolitan Archbishop of Łódź. He is the youngest Polish cardinal. Pope Francis gave him this dignity on September 30, 2023. He could take part in conclave until February 9, 2044.
Grzegorz Ryś
