Jean-Claude Hollerich
Stored: Jean-Claude Hollerich
| His Eminence Jean-Claude Hollerich | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Luxembourg | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Luxembourg |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 21 April 1990 by Archbishop Jean Hengen |
| Consecration: | 16 October 2011 by Archbishop Fernand Franck |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 5 October 2019 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Jean-Claude Hollerich 9 August 1958 Differdange, Luxembourg |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Luxembourgish |
| Education: | Pontifical Gregorian University, Sophia University (Tokyo) |
| Motto: | "Annuntiate" (Proclaim) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Western Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., born August 9, 1958, is a Luxembourgish Jesuit prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop of Luxembourg since 2011 and the first cardinal from Luxembourg, elevated by Pope Francis in 2019.[1] As relator general of the Synod on Synodality (2021–2024), he has been a key figure in Pope Francis’ reforms, advocating for inclusivity, women’s roles, and revising Church teachings on homosexuality, which he considers outdated, earning both praise and criticism.[2] His motto, “Annuntiate” (Proclaim), reflects his missionary zeal, shaped by decades in Japan, and his call for a Church open to modern challenges, as seen in his 2024 praise of African Catholics’ boldness.[3] At 66, Hollerich is one of 53 European cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, where he is noted as a progressive papabile, though he dismisses personal ambition, emphasizing the need for a “pope of peace.”[4][5]
A Jesuit since 1981, Hollerich served in Japan (1985–1989, 1994–2011), fostering interreligious dialogue, and held European roles, including president of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE, 2018–2023).[6] His progressive stances, including support for women deacons and openness to women priests, have drawn scrutiny, notably from Cardinal George Pell, who labeled him “explicitly heretical” in 2022.[1] In April 2025, Hollerich attended Pope Francis’ funeral rites, celebrated a Mass in Rome, and joined pre-conclave meetings, urging a Church united in prayer and open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.[5] Despite being a Council of Cardinals member, he told RTL in 2025 that others are better suited for the papacy, focusing on global peace and Church reform.[7]
Biography
Birth and early life
Jean-Claude Hollerich was born on August 9, 1958, in Differdange, Luxembourg, to a family with lukewarm Catholic faith.[1] Raised in Vianden, he attended the École Apostolique of Clairefontaine in Eischen, Belgium, and the Lycée Classique in Diekirch, Luxembourg.[1] At 18, inspired by Jesuit missionaries, he discerned a vocation, drawn to their intellectual and global mission.[2]
His early exposure to Luxembourg’s multicultural society and later experiences in Japan shaped his openness to dialogue and inclusivity.[6] His parents’ disinterest in faith contrasted with his growing commitment to the Church.[2]
Education
Hollerich studied theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1978–1981), earning a bachelor’s degree, and entered the Jesuit novitiate in Namur, Belgium (1981–1983).[1] He studied Japanese language and culture at Sophia University in Tokyo (1985–1989), deepening his interreligious expertise.[6] He completed a licentiate in theology at the Sankt Georgen Graduate School in Frankfurt (1989–1990).[2]
Fluent in Luxembourgish, French, German, English, Japanese, and Portuguese (learned for his diocese’s Portuguese minority), his education equipped him for global ministry.[8] His Jesuit formation emphasized Vatican II’s call for renewal.[3]
Priesthood
Ordained a Jesuit priest on April 21, 1990, by Archbishop Jean Hengen in Luxembourg, Hollerich served in Japan (1994–2011) as a pastor and professor at Sophia University, focusing on interreligious dialogue.[1] He was a member of the Catholic student fraternity AV Edo-Rhenania in Tokyo and later joined AV Rheinstein in Cologne.[1] Returning to Luxembourg in 2011, he prepared for his episcopal role.[2]
His priesthood emphasized outreach to youth and marginalized groups, advocating for a Church responsive to modern challenges, including women’s roles and inclusivity.[9] His Japanese experience informed his global perspective.[6]
Bishop
Appointed Archbishop of Luxembourg on July 12, 2011, by Pope Benedict XVI, Hollerich was consecrated on October 16, 2011, by Archbishop Fernand Franck.[1] Elevated to cardinal on October 5, 2019, he received the titular church of San Giovanni Crisostomo a Monte Sacro Alto.[8] He served as COMECE president (2018–2023) and relator general of the Synod on Synodality (2021–2024).[4]
As archbishop, Hollerich has championed synodality, women’s roles, and peace, notably criticizing global arms races in March 2025.[2] In April 2025, he joined cardinals in Rome for Francis’ funeral and conclave preparations, advocating for a Church open to all.[5]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Luxembourg | Archbishop | 12 July 2011 | Present | First Luxembourgish cardinal, elevated in 2019 |
Significant events
- Entered Jesuit novitiate, 1981.[1]
- Studied in Japan, 1985–1989.[1]
- Ordained priest for Jesuit Order, 1990.[1]
- Served in Japan, 1994–2011.[6]
- Appointed Archbishop of Luxembourg, 2011.[1]
- Presided at Luxembourg royal wedding, 2012.[1]
- Elected COMECE president, 2018.[8]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2019.[1]
- Appointed to Pontifical Council for Culture, 2020.[1]
- Named Synod on Synodality relator general, 2021.[6]
- Questioned Church teaching on homosexuality, 2022.[1]
- Appointed to Council of Cardinals, 2023.[8]
- Praised African Church’s boldness, 2024.[3]
- Criticized global arms race, March 2025.[2]
- Attended Pope Francis’ funeral and conclave preparations, April 2025.[5]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Hollerich were identified.
Written by the bishop
- No books authored by Cardinal Hollerich were identified. He has issued pastoral letters and statements through the Archdiocese of Luxembourg, but no published books are documented.
External links
- Jean-Claude Hollerich
- Biography of Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich
- Vatican Biography of Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich
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 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 "Jean-Claude Hollerich". Wikipedia. 2012-10-21. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Claude_Hollerich.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J.". The College of Cardinals Report. 2024-11-23. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/cardinal-jean-claude-hollerich/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Synod Organizer Cardinal Hollerich: Catholic Church in Africa ‘Not Afraid to Speak’". National Catholic Register. 2024-08-20. https://www.ncregister.com/news/synod-organizer-cardinal-hollerich-catholic-church-in-africa-not-afraid-to-speak.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "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.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Cardinal Hollerich talks about choosing the next pope". Aleteia. 2025-04-25. https://www.aleteia.org/2025/04/25/cardinal-hollerich-talks-about-choosing-the-next-pope/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "Cardinal Hollerich: Pope Francis was a father, a living example". Vatican News. 2025-04-23. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-04/cardinal-hollerich-pope-francis-was-a-father-a-living-example.html.
- ↑ "Luxembourg’s Cardinal Hollerich not vying to succeed Pope Francis". Lux Times. 2025-04-22. https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/luxembourgs-cardinal-hollerich-not-vying-to-succeed-pope-francis/1780753.html.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Jean-Claude Hollerich". Wikipedia (French). 2025-04-22. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Claude_Hollerich.
- ↑ "Cardinal Hollerich: ‘If women do not feel comfortable in the church, we have failed.’". America Magazine. 2024-07-12. https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/07/12/cardinal-hollerich-women-church-synod-248324.