The appointment of Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś as the new archbishop of Krakow was accompanied by a speech in which, with unusual frankness, he revealed the axis of his ecclesial identity: full adherence to the legacy of Pope Francis. Before priests and collaborators, Ryś presented the already deceased Argentine pontiff as the figure who has decisively shaped his vision of the Church and his own ministry.
Read also: Grzegorz Ryś: trajectory and formation of the new archbishop of Krakow
Although until now he had cultivated a more balanced profile within the Polish episcopate, his recent statements show a clear harmony with the pastoral and synodal line promoted by Francis.
A decisive scene: the visit to Francis's tomb
The cardinal recounted an experience that marked him deeply. During the pre-conclave days, he visited the tomb of Pope Francis together with Cardinal Konrad Krajewski. There, he said, he sought a word, a guidance:
“Holy Father, tell me something. The conclave is approaching. Tell me something.”
But he received no response. And it was then that he understood the meaning of that silence:
“I discovered that I had learned from him everything I believe about the Church.”
According to Ryś, that moment inwardly confirmed the root of his pastoral and doctrinal vision.
“I don't want another Church”
The heart of his message was the open confession that his model of Church is entirely linked to the pontificate of Francis:
“I don't want another Church. Simply, I don't want to. I can't imagine another Church than the one Francisco taught us.”
Then he added a description of the type of Church he considers authentic:
“I don't want a Church that is not missionary.
I don't want a Church that is not merciful.
I don't want a Church that is not open, that is not in dialogue.”
Ryś affirmed that, although he has studied previous popes, it was Francis who shaped his episcopal understanding:
“In my adult life as a bishop, it was this Pope who taught me the Church.”
Francis as a model of Gospel and Council
The cardinal also wanted to emphasize that Francis did not propose a personal invention, but a faithful reading of the Gospel and Vatican Council II:
“Francis lived the Gospel at 150%. He lived the Gospel and lived the Council.”
For Ryś, the pontificate of the Argentine Pope represented a concrete form of the Holy Spirit's action, especially visible in the life of his archdiocese.
Eight years of ministry interpreted in the light of Francis
Throughout his intervention, he insisted that everything accomplished during his eight years as archbishop of Łódź —diocesan synods, charitable impetus, catechumenate, training and evangelizing initiatives— were not his own works:
“There is not a single thing that is mine. Everything is God's work.”
And he added that he never introduced personal projects or innovations foreign to the tradition:
“I never invented anything for the Church. To build the Church, one must follow Peter.”
In this way, he placed Francis as the decisive reference for his management: both in pastoral orientation and in doctrinal discernment.
A tone that marks the beginning of a new stage in Krakow
The speech of Cardinal Ryś, charged with emotion and gratitude, outlines the key with which he will assume the see of Krakow, historically linked to the legacy of Saint John Paul II. His message suggests that he will interpret this mission from the explicit continuity with the style and priorities of Pope Francis.