Francis Arinze


Francis Arinze
Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
SeeVelletri-Segni
Appointed1 October 2002
Term ended9 December 2008
PredecessorJorge Arturo Augustin Medina Estévez
SuccessorAntonio Cañizares Llovera
Other post(s)Cardinal-Bishop of Velletri-Segni
Previous post(s)
Orders
Ordination23 November 1958
by Gregorio Pietro Agagianian
Consecration29 August 1965
by Charles Heerey
Created cardinal25 May 1985
by Pope John Paul II
Rank
  • Cardinal Deacon (1985–96)
  • Cardinal-Priest (1996–2005)
  • Cardinal-Bishop (2005–)
Personal details
Born (1932-11-01) 1 November 1932
NationalityNigerian
DenominationRoman Catholic
Motto
  • Regnum Christi floreat
  • (May the Kingdom of Christ flourish)
Coat of arms
Styles of
Francis Arinze
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal

Francis Arinze // (born 1 November 1932) is a Nigerian Catholic prelate who was Prefect of the Secretariat for Non-Christians (1984–2002) and Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (2002–2008). He was one of the principal advisors to Pope John Paul II and was considered papabile at the 2005 Papal conclave. According to Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Arinze is the only surviving council father among the few who went from Nigeria to the Second Vatican Council.

Born in Eziowelle, Anambra State, Nigeria, Arinze was made a cardinal in 1985 and named Cardinal-bishop of Velletri-Segni in 2005.