New papal almoner pledges to be a ‘priest of the basin and the towel’
September 19, 2013
Msgr. Konrad Krajewski, appointed Almoner of the Office of Papal Charities on August 3, was consecrated an archbishop in St. Peter’s Basilica on September 17. The Polish priest had served in the office of papal liturgical ceremonies under Blessed John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict.
L’Osservatore Romano reported that Pope Francis, ten cardinals, 45 bishops, and more than 300 priests were present at the Mass.
The Pope “is enabling me to discover the face of Jesus in the face of my neighbor,” said Archbishop Krajewski. “He wants me to go and seek them out without waiting for them to knock at the door of the Vatican.”
“Your Holiness, I know that I must be a priest of the basin and towel,” the prelate added, referring to the washing of the feet at Holy Thursday.
La Stampa’s Vatican Insider reported that Msgr. Krajewski had habitually, and quietly, distributed the Swiss Guards’ leftover food to the poor and needy around the Vatican.
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Further information:
- A 'priest of the towel' (L’Osservatore Romano)
- An almoner who seeks out the poor (Vatican Insider)
- Pope tells new Almoner: “Do this work with a lot of imagination” (Vatican Insider)
- Archbishop Pozzo returns to Ecclesia Dei commission: a signal of new moves on SSPX? (CWN, 8/5)
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