Polish cardinal takes over as archpriest of Rome basilica
PR dla Zagranicy
Paweł Kononczuk
03.02.2017 11:11
Polish cardinal Stanisław Ryłko has officially taken charge as the archpriest of Rome’s ancient Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the four highest-ranking Roman Catholic churches in both the Eternal City and elsewhere.
Photo: pixabay.com
The high-profile ceremony on Thursday attracted a host of Roman Catholic Church officials including retired Kraków Archbishop Stanisław Dziwisz, the former secretary to the late Polish-born Pope John Paul II.
Ryłko, 71, replaces 81-year-old Spanish Cardinal Santos Abril Castello following an appointment made by Pope Francis and announced by the Vatican in late December.
In a comment for Vatican Radio, Ryłko has said that the papal appointment marks the culmination of his more than 30 years of service to the Holy See.
Ryłko previously led the Pontifical Council for the Laity from 2003 until this ceased to exist on 1 September last year.
Built nearly 16 centuries ago, the Basilica of St. Mary Major is a key shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and a magnet for pilgrims from all over the world. (str/pk)