(MENAFN- UkrinForm) On Saturday, December 7, in the Vatican, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church's Bishop Mykola Bychok serving in Melbourne, Australia, was elevated to the dignity of Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church by Pope Francis, thus becoming the world's youngest cardinal at 44.

That's according to the press service of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church , Ukrinform reports.

Bychok said he does not know why he was chosen to be a cardinal - most other cardinals are in their 70s - but he added that he believed God would "strengthen" him in his new role, according to ABC . He said he aims to be a cardinal who is "flexible, holy, accessible and without eminence".

The cleric has also pledged to use his new position to keep raising awareness about the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Read also: Shifts in Russia-affiliated church in Ukraine toward severing Moscow ties - priest

The selection has been seen by some Vatican observers as part of an effort by Pope Francis to choose outsiders and make the church more geographically diverse with cardinals from all corners of the globe.

Cardinal Bychok is also from a generation of church leaders not linked to the sexual abuse scandals of the past.

Photo: UGCC information department

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