Franciszek Macharski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Franciszek Macharski TOSD |
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|---|---|
| Cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Kraków | |
Archbishop Emeritus, Franciszek Cardinal Macharski
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| Archdiocese | Kraków |
| See | Kraków |
| Appointed | 29 December 1978 |
| Enthroned | 28 January 1979 |
| Reign ended | 3 June 2005 |
| Predecessor | Karol Wojtyła |
| Successor | Stanisław Dziwisz |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of San Giovanni a Porta Latina |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 2 April 1950 |
| Consecration | 6 January 1979 by Pope John Paul II |
| Created Cardinal | 30 June 1979 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Franciszek Macharski |
| Born | 20 May 1927 Kraków, Poland |
| Died | 2 August 2016 (aged 89) Kraków, Poland |
| Nationality | Polish |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Motto | Jesu in te confido (Jesus, I trust in you) |
| Coat of arms |  |
Franciszek Macharski (born May 20, 1927 – died August 2, 2016) was an important leader in the Roman Catholic Church from Poland. He was a Cardinal, which is a very high rank. He became the Archbishop of Kraków in 1978. This was a special role because he took over from Pope John Paul II, who had just become the Pope. Macharski became a Cardinal in 1979 and retired as archbishop in 2005.
Early Life and Education
Franciszek Macharski was born on May 20, 1927, in Kraków, Poland. He was the youngest of four children in his family.
During World War II, he worked hard at different jobs. After the war, he decided to study to become a priest. He went to the seminary in Kraków, where he also studied theology, which is the study of religious faith.
In April 1950, he became a priest. He was ordained by Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha. For six years, he worked as a vicar in a church near Bielsko-Biała. Later, he moved to Fribourg, Switzerland, to continue his studies in theology. He earned his doctorate degree in 1960.
Becoming a Church Leader
In December 1978, Franciszek Macharski was chosen to be the Archbishop of Kraków. This was a very important position. He was chosen by Pope John Paul II, who had been the Archbishop of Kraków himself before becoming Pope.
Pope John Paul II personally made Macharski a Bishop on January 6, 1979, at the Vatican. Macharski officially took on his role as Archbishop of Kraków on January 28, 1979. This happened during a special ceremony at Wawel Cathedral.
Just six months after becoming a Bishop, Archbishop Macharski was made a Cardinal-Priest in June 1979. This was part of the first group of Cardinals chosen by Pope John Paul II. His special church in Rome was San Giovanni a Porta Latina.
Cardinal Macharski was one of the Cardinals who could vote in the 2005 papal election. In this election, Joseph Alois Ratzinger was chosen to become Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinal Macharski lost his right to vote in future papal elections when he turned 80 years old in May 2007.
He retired from his role as Archbishop of Kraków on June 3, 2005. His successor was Stanisław Dziwisz, who had been Pope John Paul II's private secretary.
Later Years and Passing
In June 2016, Cardinal Macharski had an accident and fell down the stairs at his home. He was taken to a hospital in Kraków.
On July 28, 2016, Pope Francis visited Cardinal Macharski in the hospital. At that time, Cardinal Macharski was in a coma. He passed away five days later, on August 2, 2016.
