Cardinal John P. Foley
Elevated by Pope Benedict XVI
on November 24, 2007

A man who has devoted his entire life to his faith, Cardinal John P. Foley is a promise fulfilled.

On October 17, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI announced his plan to make Archbishop Foley a Cardinal. Cardinal Foley’s elevation to the College of Cardinals took place in the consistory at St. Peter's Basilica on November 24, 2007.

Not surprisingly, Cardinal Foley’s path to reach this great honor can be traced back to one critical foundation: his Catholic education.

Born in Darby, Pennsylvania, Cardinal Foley began his Catholic education at Holy Spirit Elementary School and Saint Joseph's Preparatory School. He would later go on to achieve many prestigious degrees: Bachelor of Arts (Saint Joseph’s University, 1957), Bachelor of Arts (St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, 1958), PhL (Pontifical University of St. Thomas, 1964), Master of Arts (Columbia School of Journalism, 1966), and PhD (Pontifical University of St. Thomas, 1965).

Cardinal Foley was ordained to the priesthood by the late Cardinal John Krol on May 19, 1962 and was posted to Rome where he reported on the Second Vatican Council for The Catholic Standard & Times. Later, Cardinal Krol sent Cardinal Foley to Columbia University, where he earned a master’s degree in Journalism. Cardinal Foley then utilized his journalism expertise by serving as editor of The Catholic Standard & Times, a position he held until 1984.

On April 5, 1984, Cardinal Foley, then a Monsignor, was appointed President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and Titular Archbishop of Neapolis in Proconsulari by the late Pope John Paul II. The following year, Cardinal Krol ordained the 48-year-old as an archbishop—making him the youngest head of a papal office at the Vatican.

On June 27, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI named Cardinal Foley as Pro-Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a papal knighthood of 18,000 members. This appointment marked the end of Cardinal Foley’s role as head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, a position he held for 23 years.

Cardinal Foley’s trademark goodwill and kindness are familiar to all who know him. Throughout his incredible career, Cardinal Foley has sat on various organizations, including the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada, Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, and National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

As the Cardinal, he is a living testament to the notion of giving back to the church and the rewards of a Catholic education.

Schools Attended:

Holy Spirit Elementary School – 1949

St. Joseph’s Preparatory
School – 1953