Mykola Bychok: Australia’s newest Catholic cardinal breaks his silence on Pope’s decision

Australia’s newest Catholic cardinal has revealed he has no idea why Pope Francis chose him for the role — saying only that “God works in mysterious ways.”

In his only television interview since his appointment a week ago, Melbourne Bishop Mykola Bychok admits he was shocked by the news.

“To be honest, at first I thought it was a joke,” he told 7NEWS today.

“This honour from His Holiness Pope Francis came as a complete surprise.”

“People ask, ‘Do you remember when you heard the news?’ It is something I will never forget.”

Bishop Mykola, pictured, said he’d been at dinner in Brisbane and had his phone off. When he switched it back on — it went into meltdown.

Bishop Mykola is just 44 years old — making him the youngest cardinal in the world.

Pope Francis made the shock announcement on October 6 from a window overlooking St Peter’s Square after reciting the Angelus prayer to thousands gathered below.

It makes Cardinal-designate Bychok Australia’s only cardinal.

He now fills the powerful position left vacant since the death of Cardinal George Pell almost two years ago.

Bishop Mykola leads the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul in Melbourne.

Born and raised in Ukraine, he moved to Australia three years ago.

He arrived during the COVID lockdown and says he remembers being met by Australian troops and spending his first two weeks in hotel quarantine. But he holds no grudges.

“I love this country. This is home for me — Melbourne is my home.”

Bishop Mykola has permanent residency and expects to qualify as an Australian citizen next year.

When asked why he thought the Pope had chosen him, he agreed it was likely the Pope was sending a message to Russia. “I think it’s a special sign of support for Ukraine,” he said. ”And a special sign for Russia.”

Few, if anyone, had predicted he would be catapulted into the senior position of cardinal, helping guide Australia’s five million Catholics.

He will also be the only Australian involved in choosing the next Pope should Francis retire or die.

Catholic historian and writer Paul Collins said he was an outside choice.

“To put it literally — I was gobsmacked,” he said. “Very, very surprised.”

“Probably the last person I expected to be made a cardinal.”

The Pontiff has passed over the usual collection of candidates — Australia’s metropolitan Bishops.

“I don’t think it is meant in any way to be passed over or rude to them,” said Mr Collins.

And despite holding one of the highest Catholic offices in the country, Mr Collins says it’s unlikely Bishop Mykola will pull rank.

“He’ll be smart enough to know his place. He’s a shrewd character. I don’t think he’ll be trying to lord it over the Australian bishops.”

However, one senior Catholic Church source told 7NEWS that there was another motive for the appointment.

“I suspect Pope Francis wanted to officially move on from the George Pell generation,” he said.

“Especially avoiding the bishops who had particularly enjoyed Pell’s patronage — the Bishops of Sydney and Melbourne – Anthony Fisher and Peter Comendsoli.”

Bishop Mykola has met the Pope three times — but his next meeting in Rome on December 8 will be his most important when he is officially appointed.

To be honest, at first, I thought it was a joke.