BREAKING Pope Leo XIV Appointed Augustinian as New Papal Almoner and Named Former Almoner Cardinal Karjewski as Archbishop of Lodz


Pope Leo XIV Appoints New Almoner; Cardinal Krajewski Returns to Poland

In a major reshuffle, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín as the new Papal Almoner and Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity. Marín de San Martín, who previously served as Undersecretary of the Secretariat of the Synod, has been elevated to the dignity of Archbishop.

Simultaneously, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski has been named the Metropolitan Archbishop of Łódź, Poland. After 28 years of Vatican service—including 11 years as the Papal Almoner—the Cardinal returns to his birthplace. Known for his hands-on charity and mission work in Ukraine, Krajewski expressed a "longing" to return to his roots, stating he is ready to bring his experience in the universal Church to the 2.5 million faithful in Łódź.

Leadership Transitions in the Dicastery for Charity

Pope Leo XIV on March 12, 2026 announced a transition in the Office of Papal Charities. Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, OSA, will succeed Cardinal Konrad Krajewski as the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.

The Outgoing Almoner Cardinal Krajewski, a staple of Vatican charity since 2013, has been appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Łódź. His tenure was marked by:

  • Direct Action: Personally delivering ambulances and aid to Ukraine during 10 separate missions.

  • Radical Charity: Following Pope Francis’s mandate to "empty the bank account" daily for the poor.

  • Liturgical History: Serving as Master of Ceremonies for Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.

The New Appointment Archbishop Marín de San Martín steps into the role after four years at the General Secretariat of the Synod. His appointment signals a continuation of the Church's mission of "closeness to the faithful" and the marginalized.

After nearly three decades at the heart of the Vatican, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski is going home. Pope Leo XIV has appointed the man known for sleeping among the poor and driving aid into war zones as the new Metropolitan Archbishop of his native Łódź, Poland.

Reflecting on his time in Rome, the Cardinal recalled the pivotal advice given to him by Pope Francis: "If you don’t know what to do, ask what the Lord would do in your place." Taking that spirit of service back to Poland, Krajewski will be succeeded by Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, the former Undersecretary of the Synod. While the Cardinal admits a "longing" for his homeland, his legacy of radical, hands-on charity leaves a permanent mark on the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.

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Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-03/pope-leo-xiv-appoints-new-papal-almoner-marin-de-san-martin.html

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