John Patrick Foley

John Patrick Foley, born on November 11, 1935, was a prominent American cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. His distinguished career included serving as the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem from 2007 until 2011, a prestigious order under papal protection. Prior to this role, he dedicated over two decades to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, where he was President from 1984 to 2007.

Foley was elevated to the cardinalate in 2007, marking a significant milestone in his ecclesiastical journey. He was well-known for providing commentary for American television viewers during the Christmas Midnight Mass from St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, a role he held for twenty-five years before retiring in 2009. His departure from this beloved position was succeeded by Monsignor Thomas Powers of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

On February 24, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI accepted Foley's resignation as Grand Master, a decision influenced by his age and health challenges. Having turned seventy-five the previous year, Foley was required to submit a resignation letter, a customary practice for bishops at that age. His health had been a concern since he was diagnosed with leukemia and anemia in September 2009.

Throughout his career, Foley contributed significantly to various curial departments and served as the editor of The Catholic Standard and Times, the newspaper of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. His meeting with Pope Benedict XVI on February 10, 2011, occurred just two days after he submitted his resignation letter, underscoring the respect and recognition he garnered within the Church.