{{Short description|Nigerian Catholic cardinal (born 1932)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = cardinal | honorific-prefix =[[His Eminence]] | name = Francis Arinze | honorific-suffix = | title = ''[[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]]''<br>[[Suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri–Segni|Cardinal Bishop of Velletri–Segni]]<br>[[Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments|Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]] | image =Card. Francis Arinze.jpg | imagesize = | alt = | caption = | church = | archdiocese = | province = | metropolis = | diocese = | see = [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri-Segni|Velletri-Segni]] | enthroned = | appointed = 1 October 2002 | term_end = 9 December 2008 | predecessor = [[Jorge Arturo Augustin Medina Estévez]] | successor = [[Antonio Cañizares Llovera]] | other_post = [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri-Segni|Cardinal-Bishop of Velletri-Segni]] | ordination = 23 November 1958 | ordained_by = [[Gregorio Pietro Agagianian]] | consecration = 29 August 1965 | consecrated_by = [[Charles Heerey]] | cardinal = 25 May 1985 | created_cardinal_by = [[Pope John Paul II]] | rank = {{indented plainlist| * [[Cardinal deacon]] (1985–1996) * [[Cardinal priest]] (1996–2005) * [[Cardinal bishop]] (since 2005)}} | previous_post = {{indented plainlist| * [[Archdiocese of Onitsha|Coadjutor bishop of Onitsha]] (1965–1967) * Titular bishop of Fissiana (1965–1967) * [[Archbishop of Onitsha]] (1967–1985) * President of the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria]] (1979–1984) * [[Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue|Pro-Prefect of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue]] (1984–1985) * Cardinal deacon of San Giovanni della Pigna (1985–1996) * President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (1985–2002) * Cardinal priest of [[San Giovanni della Pigna, Rome|San Giovanni della Pigna]] (1996–2005)}} <!---------- Personal details ----------> | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1932|11|01|df=yes}} | birth_place = [[Onitsha]], [[Colony of Nigeria]], [[British Empire]] | death_date = | death_place = | buried = | residence = | parents = | occupation = | profession = | alma_mater = | motto = ''Regnum Christi floreat'' ({{lit|May the Kingdom of Christ flourish}}) | signature = | other = | coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of Francis Arinze.svg }} {{Infobox cardinal styles | name= Francis Arinze | dipstyle= *[[His Eminence]] *[[His Eminence|The Most Reverend Eminence]] | offstyle=[[His Eminence|Your Eminence]] | relstyle= [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] | image = Coat of arms of Francis Arinze.svg | image_size = 200px }} '''Francis Arinze''' ({{IPAc-en||audio=Ig-Francis Arinz.ogg}}; born 1 November 1932) is a Nigerian [[prelate]] of the [[Catholic Church]], who served as the Prefect of the [[Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue|Secretariat for Non-Christians]] from 1984 to 2002 and [[Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]] from 2002 to 2008. He previously served as the [[Archbishop of Onitsha]] from 1967 to 1985 and as the president of the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria]] from 1979 to 1984. Arinze is the current [[Suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri–Segni|Cardinal Bishop of Velletri–Segni]] since 2005 and was one of the principal advisors to [[Pope John Paul II]] and was considered ''[[papabile]]'' at the [[2005 Papal conclave]]. According to Cardinal [[John Onaiyekan]], Arinze is the only surviving council father among the few who went from Nigeria to the [[Second Vatican Council]].
Born in Eziowelle, [[Anambra State]], Nigeria, Arinze was made a cardinal in 1985 and named [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri–Segni|Cardinal-bishop of Velletri-Segni]] in 2005.
==Early life, family, and education== Francis Arinze was born on 1 November 1932 as the third out of seven children.<ref>{{cite web | last=Carroll | first=Rory | title=The Guardian profile: Cardinal Francis Arinze | website=[[The Guardian]]| date=3 October 2003 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/oct/03/catholicism.religion | access-date=10 May 2025}}</ref> Born in [[Eziowelle]], [[Anambra State]], Southeastern Nigeria, his father was Arinze Nwankwu (later baptised as Joseph) and his mother was Bernadette Mgbafor Arinze (née Ekwoanya).<ref name=Cado>{{cite web | title=Francis Cardinal Arinze | website=[[Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha]] | date=12 December 2023 | url=https://onitsha-archdiocese.org/duplicated-bishop-j-shanahan-3378/ | access-date=11 May 2025}}</ref> He has three brothers: Christopher, Linus, and Faustin; and three sisters: Cecilia, Victoria, and Catherine.{{sfn|Arinze|2011|p=9}} Arinze's birth name, Anizoba (meaning "May the land save, may the spirit save, may the earth spirit save you") was formed from the name of the spirit called {{Lang|ig|Ani}}, who cares for the earth, the traditions and customs of the people{{sfn|Arinze|2011|p=11}} according to the [[African traditional religion|African religion]],{{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=267}} which the family practiced until Francis became nine years old on 1 November 1941, when he was baptised as Francis into the [[Catholic Church]] by Father [[Cyprian Tansi]], whom he would later serve as an altar server. He also developed interest to the priesthood but his father opposed him citing "you will not become a priest because if you become a priest, you will not marry and you won't have children and you will be hearing all the bad things people do in your two ears and that is not good".{{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=267}}<ref>{{cite book | last=Goshen-Gottstein | first=Alon | title=Interreligious Heroes | publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers | date=2021-10-04 | isbn=978-1-6667-0960-5 | page=119}}</ref>
Arinze, along his siblings attended the missionary school. Parents saw how the missionaries dominated the society and their influence on children were positive, they baptised their children. Arinze's two elder brothers and his sisters were also baptised. Arinze completed his primary school at St. Anthony's Dunukofia. The following year, in 1947 at age 15, he was admitted into [[All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha]] (then in [[Nnewi]] but was part of now [[Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu]]), where he studied philosophy and graduated in 1952. In 1955, he went to Rome to study theology at the [[Pontifical Urban University]].{{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=268a}}
On 23 November 1958, Arinze was ordained by [[Gregorio Pietro Agagianian]], who later became a cardinal.<ref name=celeb>{{cite news | access-date = 29 December 2022 | url = https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/12/vatican-onitsha-to-celebrate-francis-cardinal-arinzes-60th-anniversary/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria| date = 8 December 2018 | title = Vatican, Onitsha to celebrate Francis Cardinal Arinze's 60th anniversary |newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]}}</ref> He remained in Rome, where he completed his master's degree in theology in 1958 and his doctorate in [[sacred theology]], ''[[summa cum laude]]'' in 1960.{{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=268a}} His doctoral theses, "Igbo Sacrifice as an introduction to the Catechesis of Holy Mass" was highly cited by scholars and was later published into a book in 1970 by the Ibadan University Press under the title ''Sacrifice in Ibo Religion''.<ref name=Cado/> From 1961 to 1962, Arinze served as the regional director of Catholic education for eastern Nigeria, as well as taught liturgy, [[logic]], and basic philosophy at Bigard Memorial Seminary. He went to London to further his formal education at the [[Institute of Education]], where he bagged a diploma in 1964.{{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=268a}}
== Episcopacy == On 6 July 1965, [[Pope Paul VI]] appointed Arinze as bishop of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Fissiana|Titular diocese of Fissiana]] and [[Coadjutor bishop|coadjutor]] to [[Charles Heerey]], the [[Archdiocese of Onitsha|Archbishop of Onitsha]],<ref name=AAS1965>{{cite book | page = 930 | title = Acta Apostolicae Sedis | url = https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-57-1965-ocr.pdf | date = 1965 | volume = LVII | access-date = 28 December 2022}}</ref> hence making him the youngest Catholic bishop in the world when Heerey consecrated him on 29 August 1965 at the age of 32.<ref name=vanguard>{{Cite news |date=2015-11-29 |title=Pope Francis, others extol Cardinal Arinze as he marks 50 years of priestly ordination |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/pope-francis-others-extol-cardinal-arinze-as-he-marks-50-years-of-priestly-ordination/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2022-03-05 |newspaper=[[Vanguard (Nigeria)|Vanguard]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sun |first=The Catholic |date=2018-04-16 |title=Diocese to welcome Cardinal Arinze April 18–22 |url=https://www.catholicsun.org/2018/04/16/diocese-to-welcome-cardinal-arinze/ |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=The Catholic Sun |language=en-US}}</ref> He attended the final session of the [[Second Vatican Council]] in 1965.<ref name=celeb/> When Heerey died on 6 February 1967, Pope Paul VI appointed Arinze to succeed him as archbishop on 26 June 1967. He became the first native African to head a diocese.{{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=268a}}<ref name=vanguard/><ref>{{cite book | page = 716| title = Acta Apostolicae Sedis | url = https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-59-1967-ocr.pdf | date = 1967 | volume = LIX | access-date = 28 December 2022 }}</ref>{{efn|Although Arinze was the titular bishop and coadjutor to Heerey, he was a titular archbishop, therefore he didn't have the right to succeed the office of the archbishop of Onitsha upon Heerey's resignation or death.<ref name=AAS1965/>}}
The [[Nigerian Civil War]] broke out few days after the episcopacy of Arinze began. Because the Archdiocese of Onitsha was located in the secessionist state [[Biafra]], he became a refugee, fleeing to [[Adazi-Nnukwu|Adazi]] and then [[Amichi]], where he stayed until the war ended in 1970.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-01-15 |title=Remembering Nigeria's Biafra war that many prefer to forget |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51094093 |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=BBC}}</ref> He recalled supervising the distribution of relief materials to other refugees as well as the sick and hungry [[Biafrans]]. He was known to have kept the diocese independent of the warring factions. At the end of the war, the Nigerian government deported all foreign missionaries working in the archdiocese, leaving only the native clergy and religious, who were few in number. Catholic schools were also confiscated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 2003 - Philippines |url=https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/usdos/2003/en/19330 |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=refworld.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yussuf J. Simmonds |date=2009 |title=Cardinal Francis arinze |url=https://lasentinel.net/cardinal-francis-arinze.html |access-date=23 September 2009 |work=Los Angeles sentinel}}</ref>
When the war ended, he continued as the archbishop and the president of the [[Catholic Bishop's Conference of Nigeria]] (CBCN). An advocate of [[interfaith dialogue]], Arinze was known to work well with Muslims in Nigeria, hence Pope John Paul II appointed him as pro president of the [[Vatican City]]'s Secretariat for non-Christian believers (present [[Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue]]). On 9 March 1985, Arinze resigned as archbishop of Onitsha.{{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=268a}}
=== Episcopal anniversaries === In August 2025, Arinze was praised by [[Peter Obi]] on his 60th episcopal anniversary, via [[Twitter]], as " a living witness to faith and renewal in the Catholic Church".<ref>{{Cite news | last=Omotere | first=Samuel | title=Obi felicitates Cardinal Arinze on 60th episcopal anniversary |newspaper=[[The Punch]]| date=2025-08-29 | url=https://punchng.com/obi-felicitates-cardinal-arinze-on-60th-episcopal-anniversary/ | access-date=2025-12-11}}</ref>
== Cardinalate == [[Pope John Paul II]] named Arinze Cardinal-Deacon of [[Church of San Giovanni della Pigna|San Giovanni della Pigna]] in a [[Papal consistory|consistory]] held on 25 May 1985.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper = New York Times | access-date = 29 December 2022 | date = 26 May 1985 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/26/world/new-princes-of-the-church.html | title = New 'Princes of the Church' }}</ref> He received his cardinal's hat in Rome on 25 May 1985, while [[Stephen Ezeanya]] succeeded him as the Archbishop of Onitsha.<ref>{{cite book | last=Ozigboh | first=Ikenga R. A. | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lt8RAQAAIAAJ&q=archbishop+stephen+ezeanya+news|title=Igbo Catholicism: The Onitsha Connection, 1967-1984 | date=1985 | isbn=978-978-175-109-7 |publisher=Africana-Fep Publishers|page=XV}}</ref> After ten years he exercised his option to be raised to the rank of cardinal-priest, which Pope John Paul approved on 29 January 1996.<ref>{{cite book | pages = 226–7 |title = Acta Apostolicae Sedis | url = https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-88-1996-ocr.pdf | date = 1996 | volume = LXXXVIII | access-date = 29 December 2022 }}</ref> Two days after he became a cardinal, Arinze was appointed president of the Secretariat for Non-Christians, which was renamed the [[Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue|Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue]] in 1988.<ref>{{cite book | page = 675 |title = Acta Apostolicae Sedis | url = https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-77-1985-ocr.pdf | date = 1985 | volume = LXXVII | access-date = 29 December 2022 }}</ref>
He served in various related capacities including as the president of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. He also received honours in this capacity: On 24 October 1999 he received a gold medallion from the [[International Council of Christians and Jews]] for his outstanding achievements in inter-faith relations. He traveled extensively and became a popular speaker in the United States.
Arinze was a member of the Committee of the [[Great Jubilee]] in 2000. In that capacity, he worked closely with individual bishops and priests throughout the world in preparation for the rare celebration. On 1 October 2002, Pope John Paul II named him prefect of the [[Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments|Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]].
===Conclaves=== {{See also|2005 papal conclave|2013 papal conclave}} From early 2000, observers reportedly suggest that Arinze might become the successor of Pope John Paul II, hence making him the first African-born Pope in 1500 years, since [[Pope Gelasius I|Pope Gelasius]] (492–496). Other African Popes were [[Pope Miltiades]] (311–314) and [[Pope Victor I]] (183–203) {{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=268b}}
When Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005, all major Vatican officials were dissolved automatically, including Arinze's position. Among the 115 [[cardinal elector]]s, he was the only African cardinal considered ''[[papabile]]'' for the [[2005 papal conclave]], where Cardinal Ratzinger, later [[Pope Benedict XVI]] was elected on 19 April 2005. Pope Benedict XVI retained him as the prefect of the [[Congregation for Divine Worship]] on 21 April 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CNA |title=Pope Francis: I was 'used' against Ratzinger in 2005 conclave |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257247/pope-francis-i-was-used-against-ratzinger-in-2005-conclave-but-he-was-my-candidate |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref> On 25 April of the same year, the Pope elevated him to the position of a [[Cardinal Bishop]], heading the [[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri–Segni|Suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri-Segni]], a post Pope Benedict XVI held before he was elected Pope.{{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=269}} On 9 December 2008, Arinze retired as the prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship.<ref>{{cite press release |access-date = 21 December 2019 |url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2008/12/09/0768/01901.html | title= Rinunce e Nomine, 09.12.2008 |publisher=Holy See Press Office|date=9 December 2008|language=it}}</ref>
{{See also|2025 papal conclave}} Arinze was rumoured to be the next Pope after the death of [[Pope Francis]]. According to ''[[TheCable]]'' fact checking team, he was not among the 115 cardinal electors to lecture, and that eventually elected [[Pope Leo XIV]] on 8 May 2025.<ref>{{Cite news | last=Chibundu | first=Janefrances | title=FACT CHECK: Is Cardinal Arinze eligible to be elected as the next Pope? |newspaper=[[TheCable]]| date=2025-04-21 | url=https://factcheck.thecable.ng/fact-check-is-cardinal-arinze-eligible-to-be-elected-as-the-next-pope/ | access-date=2025-12-11}}</ref>
On 20 May 2026, Cardinal Arinze was received in a private audience by [[Pope Leo XIV]] at the Vatican.<ref>{{cite web |title=Le Udienze, 20.05.2026 |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/05/20/0423/00832.html |website=press.vatican.va |publisher=Holy See Press Office |date=20 May 2026 |access-date=20 May 2026 |language=it}}</ref>
==Notable views== ===Interfaith dialogue=== Although Arinze, like Pope John Paul II, was known to be very conservative with the [[Catholic theology|Catholic doctrine]], he is an advocate for [[interfaith dialogue]]. He asserted that every religion have to adapt to their way of seeking salvation. He reportedly also said that [[Buddhist]]s, [[Muslims]], and [[Jews]] can get to heaven.{{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=268b}}
In July 2009, he delivered a major speech promoting interreligious dialogue at The City Club of Cleveland.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WktMX2-OI8Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/WktMX2-OI8Q |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Francis Cardinal Arinze Speech Pt. 1/5 |website=[[YouTube]] |date=3 August 2009 |access-date=11 February 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
===Eucharist=== In May 2018, he addressed the ongoing controversies about granting access to the [[Holy Eucharist]]. He objected to any interpretation of [[Pope Francis]]' ''[[Amoris laetitia]]'' that would allow a Catholic remarried without an [[Declaration of nullity|annulment]] to receive [[Eucharist in the Catholic Church|Communion]] as an act of mercy, saying that Christ saw that condition as adultery and "We cannot be more merciful than Christ." With respect to the proposal endorsed by many German bishops to allow the Protestant spouses of Catholics to receive communion, he said that it was not a question of "hospitality" and the celebration of Mass is "not an ecumenical service".<ref>{{cite news | newspaper = The Tablet | access-date = 2 January 2023 | date = 31 May 2018 | first = James | last = Roberts | url = https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/9180/arinze-insists-intercommunion-restrictions-must-remain | title = Arinze insists intercommunion restrictions must remain }}</ref>
===Vatican Council II=== In 2009, Arinze gave a commencement address at the [[Augustine Institute]] in Denver. He actively teaches [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]] via Familyland TV to the Americas, the Philippines, Africa, and Europe. He has produced over 1,700 television programs with the [[Apostolate for Family Consecration]]. The programs cover almost all of [[Pope John Paul II]]'s encyclicals and apostolic letters, the teachings of [[Vatican II|the Second Vatican Council]],<ref>For example, Arinze, F., [https://web.archive.org/web/20241118040038/https://www.acjol.org/index.php/encounter/article/download/4420/4309 Expanding Communications Opportunities in the Apostolate (From Vatican II Inter Mirifica to 21st Century Communications Challenges in the Apostolate of the Church)], EJ 14 (2023) 11-16, ''Academic Journals Online'', published in 2023, archived on 18 November 2024, accessed on 13 August 2025</ref> and many other topics.
===Vocation=== On 13 June 2025 in a meeting with Nigerian students in Rome, Arinze clarified his view on [[Vocation#Christianity|Christian vocation]], asserting that "every person has a unique vocation, understood as God's specific plan for their life". He also stated that "vocation is not limited to the priesthood or religious life, but also to any profession ranging from law, engineering, music, or academia".<ref>{{cite web | title=Cardinal Arinze Meets with Nigerian Students in Rome | website=Opus Dei | date=2025-06-13 | url=https://opusdei.org/en-ng/article/cardinal-arinze-meets-with-nigerian-students-in-rome/ | access-date=2025-12-11}}</ref>
===Nigerian politics=== On 30 April 2025, Arinze, after welcoming some priests at his residence in the Vatican, charged the priests to help in reducing pain in Nigeria through giving the congregation messages of hope. He labelled Nigerian politicians as "a sad group".<ref>{{Cite news | title=Hardship: Cardinal Arinze blasts politicians |newspaper=[[The Sun (Nigeria)|The Sun]]| date=2025-04-30 | url=https://thesun.ng/hardship-cardinal-arinze-blasts-politicians/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria| access-date=2025-12-11}}</ref>
==Distinctions and legacy== Arinze has received honorary degrees from universities including the [[University of Nigeria]] in 1986, the [[Catholic University of America]] in 1998, [[Wake Forest University]] in 1999, the [[University of Santo Tomas]] in 2001, the [[University of Notre Dame]] in 2003, the [[University of Saint Mary of the Lake|University of St. Mary of the Lake]] in 2003, and [[Seton Hall University]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.onitsha-archdiocese.org/archbishop/past-archbishops/francis-cardinal-arinze | website = Archdiocese of Onitsha | title = Francis Cardinal Arinze | access-date = 31 December 2022 | archive-date = 31 December 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221231004138/https://www.onitsha-archdiocese.org/archbishop/past-archbishops/francis-cardinal-arinze | url-status = dead }}</ref>
On 5 October 2021, a center for peace and reconciliation was established in Arinze's name in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.absradiotv.com/2021/10/05/odida-eziowelle-immotalises... | title = Odida Eziowelle Immortalizes Francis Cardinal Arinze: Establishes an Ultra Modern Center for Peace and Reconciliation in His Name | publisher = Anambra Broadcasting Service | access-date = 2 January 2023 | date = 5 October 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> In 1985, Arinze was awarded the [[Nigerian Chieftaincy|chieftaincy title]] of the "Ochudouwa" of [[Eziowelle]], his hometown.<ref name=dict>{{cite book | last1 = Falola | first1 =Toyin | last2= Genova | first2=Ann | last3= Heaton | first3= Matthew M.| date =2018 | title = Historical Dictionary of Nigeria | page =54| access-date = 30 December 2022 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GalWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA54 | publisher = Rowman & Littlefield| isbn =9781538113141 }}</ref> He was listed along [[Victorinus Youn Kong-hi]], [[Daniel Verstraete]] and [[José de Jesús Sahagún de la Parra]] as the four surviving Council Fathers of the [[Second Vatican Council]] held between 1962 and 1965.
==Bibliography== * ''Sacrifice in Ibo Religion'' ([[University of California Press]], 1970){{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=269}} * ''The Church in Dialogue: Walking With Other Believers'' (1990){{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=269}} * ''Meeting Other Believers: The Risks and Rewards of Interreligious Dialogue'' (1998) * ''Religions for Peace: A Call for Solidarity to the Religions of the World'' (2002){{sfn|Akyeampong|Jr|2012|p=269}} * ''The Evangelizing Parish'' ([[Ignatius Press]], 2018) * ''The Family Catechism on Tape'', Apostolate for Family Consecration * ''Divine Providence: God's Design in Your Life'' (2005) * ''Building Bridges: Interreligious Dialogue on the Path to World Peace'' (2004) * ''Cardinal Reflections: Active Participation and the Liturgy'' (2005) * ''The Holy Eucharist'' ([[Our Sunday Visitor]], 2001) {{ISBN|0-87973-978-9}} * ''Celebrating the Holy Eucharist'' (2006) * ''Religions for Peace'' (Darton, Longman & Todd, 2002) * ''God's Invisible Hand: The Life and Work of Francis Cardinal Arinze'', Ignatius Press, 2006 * ''Great Figures in Salvation History: David and Solomon'', an interview with Cardinal Arinze and Roy Schoemann, Ignatius Press, 2006
==References== ===Notes=== {{Notelist}}
===Citations=== {{Reflist}}
===Works cited=== {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book | last=Arinze | first=Francis Cardinal | title=God's Invisible Hand | publisher=Ignatius Press | publication-place=San Francisco | date=2011-02-03 | isbn=978-1-68149-213-1}} * {{cite book | last1=Akyeampong | first1=Emmanuel Kwaku | last2=Jr | first2=Professor Henry Louis Gates | title=Dictionary of African Biography | publisher=OUP USA | date=2012-02-02 | isbn=978-0-19-538207-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=39JMAgAAQBAJ&q=All%2520Hallows%2520Seminary%2520Onitsha&pg=PA268 | access-date=2025-12-10}} {{Refend}}
==External links== {{wikiquote}} {{commons category}}
*{{cite web| access-date = 9 November 2017| title= Arinze Card. Francis |publisher= [[Holy See Press Office]] | url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_arinze_f.html | url-status=live | archive-date= 19 September 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160919133749/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_arinze_f.html }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070701184040/http://www.xclusive.ie/10/farinze.html ''Xclusive'' 20 minutes with Cardinal Arinze] *{{cite web | url = https://www.onitsha-archdiocese.org/archbishop/past-archbishops/francis-cardinal-arinze | website = Archdiocese of Onitsha | title = Francis Cardinal Arinze | access-date = 31 December 2022 | archive-date = 31 December 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221231004138/https://www.onitsha-archdiocese.org/archbishop/past-archbishops/francis-cardinal-arinze | url-status = dead }}
{{s-start}} {{s-rel|ca}} {{s-new}} {{s-tul|title=Bishop of Fissiana|years=1965{{spaced ndash}}1967}} {{s-aft|after=[[Leo Rajendram Antony]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Charles Heerey]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha|Archbishop of Onitsha]]|years=1967{{spaced ndash}}1985}} {{s-aft|after=[[Stephen Nweke Ezeanya]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Jean Jadot]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue|President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue]]|years=1985{{spaced ndash}}2002}} {{s-aft|after=[[Michael L. Fitzgerald]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-new|rows=2}} {{s-ttl|title=Cardinal Deacon of [[Church of San Giovanni della Pigna|S. Giovanni della Pigna]]|years=1985{{spaced ndash}}1996}} {{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Raffaele Farina]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-ttl|title=Cardinal Priest of [[Church of San Giovanni della Pigna|S. Giovanni della Pigna]] ''pro hac vice''|years=1996{{spaced ndash}}2005}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Jorge Medina Estévez]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Prefect of the [[Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]] | years=2002{{spaced ndash}}2008}} {{s-aft|after=[[Antonio Cañizares Llovera]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Pope Benedict XVI|Joseph Ratzinger]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Suburbicarian Diocese of Velletri-Segni|Cardinal Bishop of Velletri-Segni]]|years=2005{{spaced ndash}}}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}
{{Cardinals of the Catholic Church|state=collapsed}} {{Cardinals created by John Paul II}} {{Christianity in Nigeria}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Arinze, Francis}} [[Category:1932 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:20th-century cardinals]] [[Category:20th-century Nigerian male writers]] [[Category:21st-century Nigerian male writers]] [[Category:Bishops appointed by Pope Paul VI]] [[Category:Cardinals created by Pope John Paul II]] [[Category:Converts to Roman Catholicism from paganism]] [[Category:Igbo theologians]] [[Category:Members of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments]] [[Category:Nigerian cardinals]] [[Category:Nigerian Roman Catholic writers]] [[Category:Participants in the Second Vatican Council]] [[Category:People from Anambra State]] [[Category:Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue]] [[Category:Pontifical Urban University alumni]] [[Category:Roman Catholic archbishops of Onitsha]]