Konrad Krajewski

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Stored: Konrad Krajewski

His Eminence Konrad Krajewski
Bishop of
Home diocese: Archdiocese of Łódź
Other diocese 1:
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 11 June 1988 by Archbishop Władysław Ziółek
Consecration: 17 June 2013 by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 28 June 2018 by Pope Francis
Personal details
Born: Konrad Krajewski
(1963-11-25) November 25, 1963 (age 62)
Łódź, Poland
Died:
Nationality: Polish
Education: Pontifical Liturgical Institute
Motto: Misericordia Domini
Role: Curial
Theology: Moderate
Region: Eastern Europe
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Eligible


Konrad Krajewski, born (1963-11-25) November 25, 1963 (age 62), is a Polish Catholic cardinal and Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity since 2013. Known as the papal almoner, he has spearheaded humanitarian efforts, including delivering ambulances to Ukraine and opening laundromats for the homeless in Rome. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2018, he blends liturgical expertise from his service under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI with a hands-on approach to charity within the Roman Rite.[1][2][3]

Born in Łódź, Krajewski served as a papal master of ceremonies before his almoner role. In April 2025, he completed his tenth mission to Ukraine, delivering four ambulances donated by Pope Francis, and resigned as Prefect following Francis’ death. He participated in the 2025 papal conclave, with some observers noting him as a compromise candidate due to his service under both conservative and progressive popes, though his focus on charity over governance raised doubts about his candidacy.[4][5][6]

Biography

Birth and early life

Konrad Krajewski was born on (1963-11-25) November 25, 1963 (age 62) in Łódź, Poland, into a Catholic family.[1] Influenced by the Saint John Paul II, whose papacy inspired his vocation, he grew up during Poland’s communist era, fostering a commitment to service.[2][6] His early involvement in parish life and exposure to John Paul II’s teachings shaped his liturgical and charitable focus.[7]

Krajewski entered the Łódź seminary in 1982, discerning a call to priesthood amid Poland’s Solidarity movement. His practical approach to faith emerged early, later defining his hands-on charity work.[6]

Education

Krajewski studied theology at the Łódź seminary, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1988.[1] He pursued advanced studies at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome, obtaining a licentiate in liturgy in 1990 and a doctorate in 1995, focusing on papal ceremonial practices.[2][6] His training emphasized the Second Vatican Council’s liturgical reforms, aligning with his moderate theological stance.[6]

His time in Rome connected him with Vatican circles, leading to his role as a papal master of ceremonies. His fluency in Polish, Italian, and English aided his curial duties.[7]

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on 11 June 1988 by Archbishop Władysław Ziółek for the Archdiocese of Łódź, Krajewski served as a parish priest and seminary professor in Łódź.[1][8] In 1998, he joined the Office of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations in Rome, serving as a master of ceremonies under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI until 2013.[1][7]

His priesthood combined liturgical precision with pastoral care. His presence at John Paul II’s deathbed in 2005 deepened his commitment to serving the marginalized, a focus that intensified under Pope Francis.[7][3]

Bishop

Appointed titular Archbishop of Aquila and Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity (papal almoner) on 3 August 2013 by Pope Francis, Krajewski was consecrated on 17 June 2013 by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.[1][8] Elevated to cardinal on 28 June 2018, he received the deaconry of Santa Maria Immacolata all’Esquilino.[1]

As almoner, Krajewski opened laundromats and showers for Rome’s homeless, delivered humanitarian aid to Ukraine (including ten missions, the latest in April 2025 with four ambulances), and visited conflict zones like the Holy Land.[3][4][9][10] In March 2025, he led a Rosary in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ health, resigned as Prefect in April 2025, and joined the 2025 conclave, noted as a potential compromise candidate for his bipartisan service, though his non-governance focus tempered expectations.[11][5][6]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Aquila Titular Archbishop 3 August 2013 Present Appointed by Pope Francis; elevated to cardinal in 2018

Significant events

  • Entered the Łódź seminary in 1982.[1]
  • Ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Łódź by Archbishop Władysław Ziółek on 11 June 1988.[1]
  • Joined the Office of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations in Rome in 1998, serving as master of ceremonies until 2013.[1]
  • Appointed titular Archbishop of Aquila and Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity by Pope Francis on 3 August 2013, consecrated on 17 June 2013.[1]
  • Created cardinal by Pope Francis on 28 June 2018, with the deaconry of Santa Maria Immacolata all’Esquilino.[1]
  • Opened “Pope’s Laundromats” for the homeless in Rome on 5 November 2023.[9]
  • Visited the Holy Land in December 2023, praying for peace amid the Gaza conflict.[10]
  • Delivered a third ambulance to a hospital in Ternopil, Ukraine, in June 2024, his eighth mission.[12]
  • Opened a soup kitchen in Fastiv, Ukraine, on 23 December 2024, his ninth mission.[13]
  • Led a Rosary in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ health on 2 March 2025.[11]
  • Delivered four ambulances to Ukraine in April 2025, his tenth mission, personally driving one from Rome.[3][4]
  • Resigned as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity in April 2025 following Pope Francis’ death.[5]
  • Participated in the 2025 papal conclave, noted as a potential compromise candidate.[6]

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Konrad Krajewski have been identified as of May 2025.

Written by the bishop

  • No known books or publications authored by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski have been identified as of May 2025.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Konrad Krajewski". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konrad_Krajewski. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "KRAJEWSKI Card. Konrad". https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_krajewski.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Cardinal Krajewski in Ukraine: ‘People are hungry, living in poverty in the war zone’". 2025-04-10. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/cardinal-krajewski-in-ukraine-people-are-hungry-living-in-poverty-in-the-war-zone. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Cardinal Krajewski: ‘Pope called to support my mission to Ukraine’". 2025-04-09. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/cardinal-krajewski-pope-called-to-support-mission-ukraine.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Cardinal Krajewski resigns as Prefect following Pope Francis’ death". 2025-04-21. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/cardinal-krajewski-resigns-as-prefect-following-pope-francis-death. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 "Cardinal Konrad Krajewski". 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/konrad-krajewski. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Cardinal Krajewski: 20 years ago, the world stood still, knelt, and wept". 2025-04-02. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/cardinal-krajewski-20-years-ago-world-stood-still-knelt-wept.html. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Konrad Cardinal Krajewski". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bkrajewski.html. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Pope Francis opens two new laundromats for the homeless". 2023-11-05. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/pope-francis-opens-two-new-laundromats-for-the-homeless. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Cardinal Krajewski: May the world bow down to God so peace can flourish". 2023-12-28. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-12/cardinal-krajewski-may-world-bow-down-to-god-peace-flourish.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Pope, stable and resting, appears to be overcoming setback". 2025-03-03. https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2025/03/pope-stable-and-resting-appears-to-be-overcoming-setback.html. 
  12. ↑ "From cemetery with war dead, cardinal urges world help Ukraine". 2024-06-27. https://trentonmonitor.com/Content/Headlines/Headlines/Article/From-cemetery-with-war-dead-cardinal-urges-world-help-Ukraine/1/1/24588. 
  13. ↑ "Despite fear in Ukraine, keep going, pope tells Cardinal Krajewski". 2024-12-24. https://www.osvnews.com/2024/12/24/despite-fear-in-ukraine-keep-going-pope-tells-cardinal-krajewski/. 
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