Ryś is the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Łódź in central Poland. The appointment, scheduled for September 30, will see Ryś receive the prestigious cardinal's red hat.
The newly appointed cardinals hail from various regions around the world. Europe accounts for eight of the cardinals, while Asia has six, Africa has two, North America has one, and Central and Latin America have four representatives. Among the 21 nominees, 18 are below the age of 80 and are therefore eligible to participate in a future secret conclave tasked with electing the next Pope.
Polish President Andrzej Duda extended his congratulations to archbishop Ryś. "This is an important day for the Polish Church, and I offer my very best wishes for His Eminence," Duda said.
Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, the head of the Polish Bishops' Conference, expressed his deep gratitude to Pope Francis for appointing a new cardinal from Poland. He described the announcement as a momentous occasion and wished cardinal Ryś continued strength in his pastoral service, invoking the assistance of the Holy Spirit and the Mother of God.
Cardinal-designate Ryś, aged 59, began his religious journey with his ordination as a priest in 1988 at the historic Wawel Cathedral in Kraków, where he later served as an auxiliary bishop from 2011 to 2017. With a doctorate in theological sciences and a post-doctoral degree in history, archbishop Ryś is recognized for his exceptional preaching skills and his dedication to organizing regular meetings and retreats for young people. He has also played an active role in fostering ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.
(mk/jh)
Source: IAR
