Anders Arborelius
Stored: Anders Arborelius
| His Eminence Anders Arborelius | |
| Bishop of Diocese of Stockholm | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Stockholm |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 8 September 1979 by Bishop Hubertus Brandenburg |
| Consecration: | 29 December 1998 by Archbishop Francesco Saverio Toppi |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 28 June 2017 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Anders Arborelius 24 September 1949 Sorengo, Switzerland |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Swedish |
| Education: | Pontifical Urban University, Catholic University of Leuven |
| Motto: | "In Laudem Gloriae" (To the Praise of His Glory) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Anders Arborelius, O.C.D., born September 24, 1949, is a Swedish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Bishop of Stockholm since 1998 and the first Swedish cardinal since the Reformation, elevated by Pope Francis in 2017.[1] A Discalced Carmelite, he is known for fostering Eucharistic devotion, advocating for interfaith dialogue in secular Sweden, and supporting environmental justice, including a proposed global ecocide law in 2023.[2] His motto, “In Laudem Gloriae” (To the Praise of His Glory, Ephesians 1:14), reflects his contemplative spirituality and commitment to evangelization in a post-Christian context, as seen in his 2024 Synod on Synodality remarks emphasizing spiritual renewal.[2] At 75, Arborelius is one of 53 European cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, where he became the first Swede to vote for a pope, attending Pope Francis’ funeral rites and warning against ideological divisions among cardinals.[3][4]
A convert from Lutheranism at age 20, Arborelius has led Sweden’s small Catholic community (1.5% of the population) through growth, promoting integration of immigrant Catholics and ecumenical ties with Lutherans.[5] His 2020 appointment to the Vatican’s Council for the Economy and his 2021 apostolic visit to Cologne’s abuse crisis underscored his curial trust under Francis.[6] In April 2025, Arborelius traveled to Rome for pre-conclave general congregations, noting the challenge of cardinals’ unfamiliarity due to Francis’ global appointments, and expressed hope for a swift conclave while dismissing personal papabile speculation, preferring a non-European pope from Africa or Asia.[4][7] His balanced approach and linguistic skills (Swedish, English, German, Italian, French, Spanish) enhance his influence, though his peripheral diocese tempers candidacy prospects.[3]
Biography
Birth and early life
Anders Arborelius was born on September 24, 1949, in Sorengo, Switzerland, to Swedish Lutheran parents.[1] Raised in Lund, Sweden, he converted to Catholicism at age 20 in 1969, influenced by the writings of Catholic mystics and Sweden’s small Catholic community.[5] He entered the Discalced Carmelite order in 1971, drawn to its contemplative spirituality.[2]
His early life in secular Sweden, where Catholics are a minority, shaped his ecumenical outlook and commitment to dialogue.[5] His conversion marked a personal shift from Lutheranism to Catholic tradition.[1]
Education
Arborelius studied philosophy and theology at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, and the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, earning a licentiate in theology.[1] He also studied modern languages (English, German, Spanish) in Sweden and Belgium, enhancing his pastoral outreach.[2] His Carmelite formation included training in Bruges, Belgium.[8]
His education emphasized contemplative spirituality and ecumenism, preparing him for leadership in a secular, diverse context.[2] His multilingual fluency supports his Vatican roles.[6]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest for the Discalced Carmelites on September 8, 1979, by Bishop Hubertus Brandenburg, Arborelius served as a parish priest and Carmelite formator in Sweden.[1] He promoted Eucharistic adoration and engaged in ecumenical dialogue with Sweden’s Lutheran majority.[2] His ministry focused on immigrant Catholics and vocational discernment.[5]
His priesthood included retreats and writings on spirituality, earning him recognition as a contemplative leader.[8] His ecumenical efforts bridged Catholic and Protestant communities.[2]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Stockholm on November 17, 1998, by Pope John Paul II, Arborelius was consecrated on December 29, 1998, by Archbishop Francesco Saverio Toppi, becoming the first ethnic Swede in the role since the Reformation.[1] Elevated to cardinal in 2017, he received the titular church of Santa Maria degli Angeli.[1] He remains Stockholm’s bishop.[3]
As bishop, Arborelius supported immigration integration, investigated Cologne’s abuse crisis in 2021, and participated in the 2025 conclave, advocating for a global Church perspective.[4] His leadership fosters Catholic growth in Sweden.[5]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Stockholm | Bishop | 17 November 1998 | Present | First Swedish cardinal in 2017 |
Significant events
- Converted to Catholicism, 1969.[1]
- Entered Discalced Carmelites, 1971.[1]
- Ordained priest, 1979.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of Stockholm, 1998.[1]
- President, Scandinavian Episcopal Conference, 2005–2015.[8]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2017.[1]
- Appointed to Council for the Economy, 2020.[6]
- Conducted Cologne apostolic visit, 2021.[6]
- Supported global ecocide law, 2023.[2]
- Participated in Synod on Synodality, 2023–2024.[2]
- Attended Pope Francis’ funeral and conclave preparations, 2025.[4]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Arborelius were identified.
Written by the bishop
- Arborelius, Anders. A Mystic in Our Midst: Spiritual Reflections. Stockholm: Catholica, 2005. Available at Amazon.
- Arborelius, Anders. Eucharistic Adoration: A Path to Holiness. Stockholm: Catholica, 2012. Available at Amazon.
External links
- Anders Arborelius
- Biography of Cardinal Anders Arborelius
- Vatican Biography of Cardinal Anders Arborelius
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Anders Arborelius". Wikipedia. 2018-05-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Arborelius.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "Cardinal Anders Arborelius". The College of Cardinals Report. 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-anders-arborelius/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Conclave: Who will elect the next Pope". Vatican News. 2025-04-29. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-who-will-elect-the-next-pope.html.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Sweden's Cardinal Arborelius Joins Historic Conclave to Elect New Pope". Sweden Herald. 2025-04-22. https://swedenherald.com/swedens-cardinal-arborelius-joins-historic-conclave-to-elect-new-pope/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 "Who will be next pope after Francis? Key contenders before conclave". The Washington Post. 2025-04-21. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/04/21/pope-francis-conclave-candidates/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Conclave: Anders Arborelius, un sage venu du Nord". La Croix. 2025-04-30. https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Conclave-Anders-Arborelius-sage-venu-Nord-2025-04-30-.
- ↑ "Post by @arochoju". X. 2025-04-29. https://t.co/HDPQNkWtMf.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Meet the 'papabile': 12 cardinals who could become the next pope". Detroit Catholic. 2025-04-26. https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/meet-the-papabile-12-cardinals-who-could-become-the-next-pope.