When Pope Francis called Krajewski into his office in 2013, he was clear about one thing: he wanted the Polish master of ceremonies to become his Papal Almoner—that is, the pope's eyes and hands among the poor. But the new job would come with a small twist: Pope Francis didn’t want him working from the Vatican, or even behind a desk.
CARD. KONRAD KRAJEWSKI
Prefect, Dicastery for Charity
Pope Francis once told me: 'At the beginning you must sell your desk, leave your desk, leave the Vatican, and not stay behind me. The almoner always used to walk behind the Holy Father with the prefect. I don’t want you in the Vatican—you must go out. That way you will know what the poor need. You will find yourself at the heart of the Gospel.
And that’s exactly what Krajewski did. He began visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and soup kitchens; he paid bills in the pope’s name for families struggling to make ends meet; and he often went to Rome’s Termini station to distribute food, coffee, and blankets to the homeless there.
He has still been seen in the Vatican of course, but for appropriate reasons: in St. Peter's Square with the homeless, or in the clinic beneath the Apostolic Palace where the Holy See offers free check-ups for the needy who are sick.
With the war in Ukraine, Krajewski also took on a new role: acting as the intermediary delivering the pope’s humanitarian aid—first for Pope Francis, and now for Pope Leo.
He is also well known at this spot—it is the location from which trucks leave for Ukraine loaded with canned food, medicines, and warm clothing…
FR. MARCO YAROSLAV SEMEHEN
Rector, Ukrainian Basilica of Saint Sophia (Rome)
We can say that Krajewski is at home here, at least in this warehouse, because he often comes personally to bring the Holy Father’s aid.
The role of Papal Almoner dates back to the earliest centuries of the Church. But the specific duties were not formalized until the beginning of the 13th Century—the primary purpose? To carry out charity for the poor in the name of the pope.
And you’ve probably heard of papal blessings—well, they also depend on the Apostolic 'Almonry', and the money collected goes to charity. This was established by Pope Leo XIII, with the goal of encouraging fundraising for those in need.
Pope Francis took this a step further: he wanted the Papal Almonor to be more than just one specific position. This is why, in 2022, he established a Vatican department dedicated exclusively to helping the poor: the Dicastery for Charity. Krajewski was made the first prefect.
But now a Spaniard will take up the role. As Cardinal Krajewski steps down, one of Pope Leo XIV’s trusted collaborators will take over: a fellow Augustinian, Luis Marín de San Martín, whom the pontiff has also elevated to the rank of archbishop.
Personal friends, the two lived in community for several years when then-Prevost served as prior general of the Augustinian Order. It was also Prevost who called San Martín to Rome in 2008 to take on several internal responsibilities within the Order.
Now, as Papal Almoner and prefect of the dicastery, San Martín spoke for the first time on his social media and gave a few hints about how he hopes to carry out his new mission, which he has already described as demanding.
JPO
