Roman Catholic Cardinal. Born in Cleveland, Ohio to Polish immigrant parents, he was manager of the meat department of a Kroger food store when he decided to become a priest. After completion of his studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland he was ordained a priest by Bishop Joseph Schrembs in that city. A year of pastoral work followed in Cleveland, he was sent to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He rose to become a prince of the Church where he headed the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Through his Polish background he maintained communications with the Polish Church behind the Iron Curtain. He befriended Archbishop Karol Wojyla of Krakow, who would become Pope John Paul II. Both were elevated to cardinal at the same time in 1967. Krol was instrumental in sponsoring Wojyla for election to the papacy in 1978. He died at his home from diabetes-related kidney problems at 85. He lay in state at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for two days as thousands of catholic faithful paid their respects. A Latin Mass was officiated by his successor, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua and interment followed in the Cathedral crypt.
Roman Catholic Cardinal. Born in Cleveland, Ohio to Polish immigrant parents, he was manager of the meat department of a Kroger food store when he decided to become a priest. After completion of his studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland he was ordained a priest by Bishop Joseph Schrembs in that city. A year of pastoral work followed in Cleveland, he was sent to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He rose to become a prince of the Church where he headed the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Through his Polish background he maintained communications with the Polish Church behind the Iron Curtain. He befriended Archbishop Karol Wojyla of Krakow, who would become Pope John Paul II. Both were elevated to cardinal at the same time in 1967. Krol was instrumental in sponsoring Wojyla for election to the papacy in 1978. He died at his home from diabetes-related kidney problems at 85. He lay in state at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul for two days as thousands of catholic faithful paid their respects. A Latin Mass was officiated by his successor, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua and interment followed in the Cathedral crypt.
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