Cardinal Mykola Bychok, the world’s youngest cardinal at 45, marked a significant milestone on 3 May celebrating 20 years since his priestly ordination in 2005. Born on 13 February 1980, in Ternopil, Ukraine, Bychok made his first vows with the Redemptorist priests in 1998 and was ordained a priest at the age of 25. He has served in various roles, including as a missionary in Russia and the United States, and was appointed Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne in 2020.
As one of the youngest cardinal electors, Bychok will participate in the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church leader, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, congratulated Bychok on his anniversary, praising his efforts to support victims of the war in Ukraine. Bychok’s distinctive dress reflects his membership in the Ukrainian rite, an Eastern Catholic tradition within the global Catholic community.