The appointment marks Krajewski’s return to Poland after 28 years of service at the Vatican and to his hometown of Łódź, where he was born in 1963.
As archbishop of Łódź, Krajewski will replace Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, who in December was named archbishop of Kraków.
Asked about the appointment, Krajewski told the Vatican News that Pope Leo had asked whether he wanted to bring the experience gained at the heart of the universal church to a local church.
“I accepted willingly, because the good of the church is born from closeness to the faithful,” Krajewski said. “My diocese is large; it has two-and-a-half million inhabitants; I am ready to serve.”
He added that he had never truly left Poland. "I always remained among the people, and I also had a bit of longing," he said.
During his tenure as papal almoner, Krajewski carried out several missions to Ukraine on behalf of the pope, personally driving ambulances and other vehicles loaded with humanitarian aid for civilians affected by the war.
Before becoming papal almoner, he served as master of pontifical liturgical ceremonies under Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.
An installation ceremony for the new archbishop is scheduled to take place in Łódź’s cathedral on March 28.
Later this year, the city will host the 49th European Youth Meeting of the Taizé Community, organized by the Taizé Community in France.
(mk/gs)