The Rt Rev. Arthur Roche, former Bishop of Leeds, has been created a Cardinal by Pope Francis at a consistory in Rome.

Bishop Roche was created Cardinal Priest of Ss. Redentore e S. Alfonso in Villa Panphilj and his titular church is the parish church of the Most Holy Redeemer and St Alphonsus in the Prati district of Rome.

Cardinal Roche, who was born in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, served as Bishop of Leeds from 2004 to 2012, before being appointed Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome, a post he held until his appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in May 2021.

Cardinal Roche said: “I am deeply moved and honoured by the trust Pope Francis has placed in me in creating me a Cardinal. The office of Cardinal is, above all, an office of service, a commitment to work for the good of the Universal Church and for the building up of the People of God.

“My mind and heart naturally turn at this moment to my home Diocese of Leeds, from which I come, and to those people who have shaped and enriched my life over so many years. I recall with deep gratitude the people of the Diocese of Leeds, among whom I was privileged to minister for eight years as Bishop.

“I am grateful to all who have accompanied me throughout my life and ministry, and to all who are praying for me at this moment. I humbly ask for the prayers of all, that I may be a faithful and effective servant of the Church and of the Pope as together we seek to spread the joy of the Gospel, and lead all people to Jesus Christ.”

The Diocese of Leeds said that Cardinal Roche is the first Cardinal to have held the See of Leeds in his own right, though the Diocese of Leeds has been served by Cardinals before. Cardinal Basil Hume was Auxiliary Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle before becoming Archbishop of Westminster, and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor was Bishop of Arundel and Brighton before becoming Archbishop of Westminster.

The Diocese of Leeds expressed gratitude to God for the honour bestowed upon Cardinal Roche and pledged prayers for his ministry.