On Thursday morning, Pope Francis travelled to the University Hospital, where he visited Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, former metropolitan bishop of Kraków. It was an unplanned event and not a part of the official papal visit programme.
The Pope's car arrived at the Trauma Centre for Emergency Medicine and Disasters' Anaesthesiology Ward at 7.30 a.m. Pope Francis was greeted by Prof. Wojciech Nowak, JU Rector, Prof. Jerzy Wordliczek, who is personally looking after the cardinal's well-being, as well as the hospital authorities and staff.
"It was a private visit. The Pope prayed for Cardinal Macharski's health. He also offered his blessings to the medical team which takes care of the cardinal and to the staff of the entire ward," said Prof. Wordliczek.
Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, aged 89, is currently in the hospital after he sustained severe injuries when he fell during one of his walks. As of yet, he has not regained consciousness. Immediately after the accident, he went through a successful surgery of stabilising the occipital and cervical area of his spine.
Cardinal Franciszek Macharski is a graduate of the JU Faculty of Theology. In 2000, he received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the Jagiellonian University. In 1979–2000, he was the metropolitan bishop of Kraków. For many years, he was the vice-president of the Polish Episcopal Conference and the president of the Committee of Catholic Science and the Committee of Lay Apostolate. He was a member of many Vatican congregations. After his retirement, he moved to Saint Brother Albert's Ecce Homo Sanctuary.
