Pope Francis Meets With Supreme Knight, Supreme Chaplain

While in Rome, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly was also honored by the Pontifical North American College

On April 20, Pope Francis received Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly and Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore in a private audience during which they discussed the Order’s activities in service to the Church, including efforts to strengthen the faith of men and their families and charitable initiatives in Ukraine and throughout the world.

Later that evening, the Pontifical North American College in Rome honored Supreme Knight Kelly as well as Bishop William Murphy, bishop emeritus of Rockville Centre, N.Y., with the Rector’s Award, given each year to persons who have been instrumental in the life of the college and the Catholic Church. 

In his remarks, the supreme knight reflected on the Order’s longtime relationship and shared mission with the college, and noted, “The Church in the United States needs our faithful collaboration — priests and laity. The culture of Father McGivney’s time was hostile to the truths of our Catholic faith, and the culture today is perhaps even more hostile. Yet, by calling upon one another, and by collaborating to build up the Church — clergy and laity together — we can make a difference.”