14 Facts About Joachim Meisner

Joachim Meisner was a German Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Cologne from 1989 to 2014.

Joachim Meisner previously served as Bishop of Berlin from 1980 to 1989, and was created a cardinal in 1983.

Joachim Meisner was widely considered to be Germany's leading conservative Catholic figure.

Joachim Meisner studied in East Germany at the seminary of Erfurt from 1959 to 1962, and was ordained a deacon on 8 April 1962.

Between 1963 and 1975, Meisner served as chaplain at St Giles Parish in Heiligenstadt and Holy Cross Parish in Erfurt.

In 1988 after the death of Joseph Hoffner, Joachim Meisner was named Archbishop of Cologne, a post he continued to hold until he retired.

Joachim Meisner was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI.

On 18 September 2012, Joachim Meisner was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as a Synod Father for the October 2012 Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Joachim Meisner participated in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis.

At Pope Francis' inauguration, Joachim Meisner was one of the six cardinals who made the public act of obedience on behalf of the College of Cardinals.

On 25 December 2013, Cardinal Joachim Meisner turned 80 and lost the right to participate in future conclaves and he submitted his resignation, which Pope Francis accepted on 28 February 2014.

Joachim Meisner died on 5 July 2017 while vacationing in Bad Fussing in Bavaria.

Joachim Meisner was known for his support of the Pope and of the teachings of the Church.

Joachim Meisner had a very close relationship to Pope John Paul II and was a long-time friend of Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI.