Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij was born on 27 June 1949 in Ban Rak, in the Archdiocese of Bangkok, and studied at St. Joseph's Seminary in Sampran before completing philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome (1970–1976). Ordained a priest on 11 July 1976, he served as a parish vicar, as vice-rector of St. Joseph's Minor Seminary (1979–1981), and, after specialist studies in spirituality at the Pontifical Gregorian University (1982–1983), spent six years as rector of the Holy Family Intermediate Seminary in Nakhon Ratchasima. He was under-secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand (1989–1993) and rector of the Lux Mundi National Major Seminary (1992–2000), then served as parish priest in Hua Take and at Bangkok's cathedral, where he was also secretary of the presbyteral council.
Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Nakhon Sawan on 7 March 2007; he received episcopal consecration on 2 June 2007 and was appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangkok on 14 May 2009. He served as vice-president of the Thai bishops' conference from 2009 and as its president from 2015, presiding over the first Plenary Council of the Church in Thailand in April 2015 and welcoming Pope Francis to Thailand in November 2019. Pope Francis created him a cardinal on 14 February 2015, with the titular church of Santa Maria Addolorata, and he is a member of the Dicastery for Evangelization. Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Archbishop of Bangkok on 27 June 2024, his 75th birthday. He participated as a cardinal elector in the 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
Consequential Quotes
In Thailand, we have peace and good relationships among people in Thai society. Most Catholics are Thai.
For us, we are grateful for the love and care Pope Francis shows us. This is the love of God for us, through Pope Francis.
Dialogue is essential since it brings people together to meet each other, creating a collaboration with strength and heart.
My role has not changed, as I am still the Archbishop of Bangkok.
A civilization of love would change our society. We just have to show real love and truly behave in this way.
Asian people by nature are religious people. We are open to other religions, to other people. We see the possibilities of interreligious collaboration.
Major Works & Initiatives
Rector of Lux Mundi National Major Seminary
Led Thailand's national major seminary at Sampran from 1992 to 2000, after six years as rector of Holy Family Intermediate Seminary in Nakhon Ratchasima (Holy See Press Office biography).
President, Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand
Vice-president from 2009 and president from 2015 (Holy See Press Office biography); presided over the first Plenary Council of the Catholic Church in Thailand in April 2015 (CNA).
Member, Dicastery for Evangelization
Listed as a member of the Dicastery for Evangelization in the Holy See Press Office biography; Wikipedia records his April 2015 appointment to the then Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Host archbishop for the apostolic visit of Pope Francis to Thailand
Welcomed Pope Francis to Bangkok, 20–23 November 2019, during the 350th anniversary of the first Catholic mission to Siam, having invited the Pope during the Thai bishops' ad limina visit (ZENIT; LiCAS News).
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.
Sources
- Holy See Press Office — biography
- Wikipedia
- ZENIT — Exclusive interview, 20 November 2019
- CPG — Interview with Archbishop Kriengsak Kovithavanij, January 2015
- National Catholic Reporter — Thai archbishop got no formal notification he had been named cardinal, January 2015
- CNA via Angelus News — For Thai Cardinal, the art of living includes witness to the Gospel, 23 October 2015
- LiCAS News — Thai Catholics wait in anticipation ahead of visit by Pope Francis, 19 November 2019