ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, March 4, 1996 TAG: 9603040058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: PHILADELPHIA
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
Cardinal John Krol, a leading Roman Catholic conservative who spoke out for nuclear disarmament and helped revamp Vatican finances, died Sunday. He was 85.
Krol, who had diabetes, a heart condition and suffered a broken hip in recent years, was hospitalized Feb. 14. He asked to return home Saturday afternoon when he failed to respond to treatment for diabetes-related kidney problems and a blood clot in his lung.
Krol retired as archbishop of Philadelphia in 1988 after 27 years as leader of the nation's sixth-largest archdiocese, where he expanded schools, parishes and services for refugees, the elderly, youth and the hungry.
``His death is a great loss to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the entire Philadelphia region as well as to the Catholic Church of the United States,'' Bevilacqua said.
The Rev. Daniel E. Mackle told worshipers Sunday at the Latin Mass at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul that Krol's leadership continued despite his failing health.
``He showed us that God would always give us the grace and strength no matter what He put in our way,'' Mackle said.
A one-time butcher in his native Cleveland who liked to shoot pool during lunch breaks before he became a priest, Krol had served as cardinal longer than any other living American.
He was elevated to cardinal June 26, 1967, along with Karol Wojtyla of Krakow, Poland, who later became Pope John Paul II. Krol, the son of Polish immigrants, was regarded as instrumental in behind-the-scenes politics that elevated the Polish cardinal to pope in 1978.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 41 linesby CNB