László Paskai

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László Cardinal Paskai (born May 8, 1927 in Szeged, Hungary) is a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and the former archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest. He was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI.

[edit] Early life

He was ordained a priest at the age of 23 on 3 March 1951, joining the Order of Friars Minor. On 2 March 1978 he was chosen to become Apostolic Administrator of Veszprém, becoming a bishop that same day, with the titular see of Bavagaliana.

Styles of
László Cardinal Paskai
Reference style His Eminence
Spoken style Your Eminence
Informal style Cardinal
See Esztergom-Budapest


Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Veszprém on 31 March 1979. He was then appointed to serve as Primate of Hungary and Archbishop of Esztergom on 3 March 1987. He was created Cardinal-Priest of Santa Teresa al Corso d'Italia. In 1993 the dioceses of Esztergom was united with that of Budapest, thus Cardinal Paskai was the first Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest.

Since his retirement he has been living in Esztergom-Szentgyörgymező, not far from the St Adalbert basilica.

Preceded by
László Cardinal Lékai
Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
3 March 19877 December 2002
Succeeded by
Péter Erdő