Newsroom (06/15/2025, Gaudium Press) In a recent interview with Il Tempo, Cardinal Dominik Duka, Archbishop Emeritus of Prague, said that Pope Leo XIV reminded him of St. John Paul II.
“His first appearance had a profound impact on me, almost as if I were reliving the memorable election of St. John Paul II. His liturgical attire reflected the signs of a profound continuity of the papacy.”
The Cardinal, who is a Dominican, shares with John Paul II that he also suffered persecution under communism. The communist regime prevented him from exercising priestly ministry for 15 years. He was forced to work in a Skoda car factory until 1989.
In the interview, the Czech cardinal also referred to the drift of the so-called synodal path in Germany. It said that the attitude of Leo XIV, as prefect of the dicastery of bishops “towards the process is negative, as was that of his predecessors in curial responsibilities, Cardinal Müller and Cardinal Ouellet”. He pointed out that “the requests of the Synodal Committee are unacceptable” and considers that they are directed “in the direction of the dissolution of the Catholic Church in Germany”.
On the Sino-Vatican agreement, the cardinal stated:
“The question of the position of the Catholic Church in China, in light of my experience of persecution during communism, leads me to express some caution.”
In his view, the current diplomatic policy “may harm the Catholic Church itself.” Cardinal Duka maintains that the agreement remains secret and that only “troubling information” has come to light.
With information from InfoCatólica.
Compiled by Dominic Joseph
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