The first and only Swedish cardinal in history, Anders Arborelius O.C.D. is a figure who defies conventional ecclesiastical labels. A convert to Catholicism at the age of twenty—after a childhood shaped by encounters with the Bridgettine sisters—he has led the Diocese of Stockholm for over twenty-five years, in a country where Catholics are a minority, yet steadily growing, thanks especially to immigration.
In this interview with Bonifatiuswerk, Cardinal Arborelius reflects on his experience in the conclave that elected Leo XIV, the ecclesial climate in Sweden, and the future of the Church in Europe. He also speaks candidly about his hopes for episcopal succession and his desire to return soon to Carmelite life.
Far from any ideological framing, he rejects the division between “progressives” and “conservatives” in the Church, emphasizing instead the need for unity, dialogue, and faith lived out in daily life. A discreet but powerful testimony, helping us to see how Catholicity can take root even on the margins of Catholic Europe.
Your Eminence, for a while you were considered a potential successor to Pope Francis. A major German newspaper wrote: “He is regarded as a thoughtful person, appreciated by both conservatives and progressives.” Do you agree?
Cardinal Anders Arborelius: I’ve always been somewhat opposed to the tendency to divide cardinals into two camps. As Christians, we are indeed very traditional—perhaps even quite conservative—on some issues, and not on others. I’ve always tried to avoid being classified into these factional currents. It’s best to avoid political terminology in the Church as much as possible. Otherwise, we end up being influenced by it.
You were among the cardinals who had the task of electing our Pope. What was the atmosphere like during the conclave, and what impact did that experience have on you? It’s not every day one elects a Pope…
Card. Arborelius: …yes, that’s very true. In my life, I’ve had this privilege and grace only once. But it was also very moving and fascinating to see how well everything was organized. So many people were there to assist us. In the Sistine Chapel, the atmosphere was very solemn. And I think we all felt: the Holy Spirit is at work here. It’s not up to us to find a candidate—God is guiding us, through the Spirit, to choose the one He has already chosen.
You already knew Robert Francis Prevost before his election as the 267th Bishop of Rome. What was your impression of him as a person?
Card. Arborelius: I met him during some meetings at the Dicastery for Bishops, where he served as Prefect. He always led discussions very well. He listened to everyone, was always very discreet, and never wanted to impose his own views. He became known as a deeply faithful and humble person, with great ability and human sensitivity. We were all very impressed. After his election, the Pope came to visit us at the Dicastery to thank us again. A truly, truly good person.
In my environment, I sense a great deal of support for our Pope. He is clearly recognized as an ambassador of peace. What personal hopes do you have for the pontificate of Leo XIV? And what expectations?
Card. Arborelius: He said he wants to promote unity in the Church. I believe the same is true for his own country, the United States, where society is highly polarized. Pope Leo XIV is a man of dialogue. I believe he has many opportunities to foster dialogue, both within the Church and in society. He has already done much to strengthen important relationships—such as with Judaism. And he has offered the Vatican as a venue for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. I see in him many gifts and charisms that will help him work for unity, peace, and dialogue. In this sense, I am very hopeful.
Your Eminence, you grew up in a Lutheran environment. At the age of twenty, you converted to Catholicism. What led you to this choice?
Card. Arborelius: I grew up in Sweden but was born in Switzerland. My family had a close friendship with the Bridgettine sisters in Lugano, and during my childhood and adolescence, I had many interactions with them. I think their kindness and devotion had a deep impact on me. I never actively participated in the Lutheran Church in Sweden. I was baptized and confirmed there, but I had a rather general Christian faith. Over time, I came to understand that the Catholic Church is the Church founded by Christ, and that is where I belong. You could say: I didn’t move away from something—I moved closer to the Catholic Church.
Has this aspect of your biography influenced your approach to ecumenism? And in what way?
Card. Arborelius: I wouldn’t say I know the Lutheran Church in Sweden very well. But I’m very glad to see that we have many things in common. Of course, there are also differences, doctrinal and ethical. But we should rejoice in what unites us in Jesus Christ. Today it’s crucial that, as Christian Churches, we help people together to know Jesus and welcome the Gospel. That’s why I try to commit myself to ecumenism—both here and elsewhere.
The Catholic Church in Sweden is growing. In 15 years, the number of registered Catholics has increased from 40,000 to 131,000. What is this growth due to?
Card. Arborelius: We’re still a minority. Conversions are relatively few—about 100 a year. But the Church is growing thanks to immigration. That’s very clear. Migrants bring with them their traditions and customs. And for us it’s essential to welcome them into our communities, to make them feel at home, and to give them space to contribute. Because often, as migrants, one feels like a second-class citizen. We must do everything we can to integrate migrants into our parishes so they can help us live our faith.
Are you able to reach out to these brothers and sisters in the faith easily? What obstacles exist?
Card. Arborelius: Many immigrants are very devout and regularly attend church. But in Sweden, we don’t have many Catholic churches. It’s not easy to attend Mass. The situation is very different from Germany. Another issue is that many immigrants only go to Mass if it’s celebrated in their native language—Polish, Arabic, Croatian, Spanish, etc. But that’s not always possible. So we try to encourage them to participate in Masses in Swedish, which is also a way to integrate into society.
You mentioned the shortage of Catholic churches in Sweden. That’s a structural problem that makes it harder to pass on the faith. What role does the German bishops’ Diaspora Commission play in this?
Card. Arborelius: It’s a tremendous help. The Bonifatiuswerk and the Diaspora Commission do everything they can to support us—not only in building new churches but also in supporting pastoral activities, such as work with youth or missionary initiatives. They also provide funds for priests’ salaries. But their support goes beyond that. They often invite us to Germany—not only we bishops, but also other ecclesial groups. These personal relationships are very valuable and strengthen us in our faith.
In 2024 you submitted your resignation to Pope Francis. You are 75. If I may say so—it seems a bit early for a cardinal to retire. What are your plans for the coming years?
Card. Arborelius: The resignation was accepted, but I still have to remain in office. I will wait patiently for the Holy Father to find a successor. For now, my main responsibility remains leading the Diocese of Stockholm. I hope then to return to the Carmelite convent in Norraby, in southern Sweden, where I lived for a long time and entered the Order. But first I must be informed by Rome about when I may retire. So I wait for the “when, where, and how.”