Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, Karol Wojtyla's successor in Krakow, dies at age 89

The former Archbishop of Krakow died on Tuesday, days after he received a surprise visit from Pope Francis while he was at WYD in Poland. ;

Cardinal Macharski was born May 20, 1927, and played a significant role in opposing the Nazi occupation of his era. ;

He guided the Church of his diocese during the difficult transition from communism to democracy. ;

The 89-year-old cardinal served as the Archbishop of Krakow since 1978, when Pope John Paul II was elected as
pope, and retired in 2005. ;

With his death, the College of Cardinals now has 211 cardinals, and 112 of them are able to vote in an eventual conclave. ;

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