He clocks 94 years old today. That’s Cardinal Francis Arinze, who rose from a family that practised traditional religion to becoming an important figure at the Vatican. His story is one of fulfillments!

15 BEAUTIFUL FACTS ABOUT CARDINAL FRANCIS ARINZE

1. Born on All Saints’ Day: Francis Arinze was born on November 1, 1932, in Eziowelle, present-day Anambra State.
2. He came from a traditional religious family: His parents initially practised traditional African religion before the family embraced Catholicism.
3. He became a Catholic at nine: He was baptised on November 1, 1941, his ninth birthday.
4. He was baptised by a future saint: The priest who baptised him was Father Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, who was later beatified by Pope John Paul II.
5. He entered the seminary at 15: His journey towards becoming a Catholic priest began at a remarkably young age.
6. He studied in Rome: He travelled to Italy in 1955 for theological studies at the Pontifical Urban University.
7. He became a priest in 1958: He was ordained on November 23, 1958, in Rome.
8. He became a bishop at just 32: In 1965, he was consecrated a bishop, making him one of the youngest bishops in the world at the time.
9. He made history in Onitsha: In 1967, he became the first Black Archbishop of Onitsha
10. He led Nigerian Catholic bishops: He served as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria from 1979 to 1984.
11. He became a cardinal in 1985: Pope John Paul II elevated him to the College of Cardinals on May 25, 1985.
12. He became an important Vatican figure: He headed the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue from 1985 to 2002.
13. He worked closely with different religions: Promoting understanding and dialogue between Christians and followers of other religions was a major part of his Vatican assignment.
14. He served under Pope Benedict XVI: In 2002, he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, a position he held until 2008.
15. He preached to the Pope and senior Vatican officials: In 2009, he was invited to preach the spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia, which Pope Benedict XVI also attended.

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