Bishop John Dolan is using video messages to introduce himself to members of his new parish. Recently, he discussed one of his favorite religious figures. | Facebook

John Dolan, the newly appointed bishop of Phoenix, is letting his new diocese get to know a little bit about him through social media messages. This week, he told them why Blessed Fra Angelico ranks among his favorite figures.

"My favorite saint is — he’s actually not a saint — it’s Blessed Fra Angelico,” Dolan said on Facebook. “He’s an early Italian Renaissance painter, and he was a monk. He was a Dominican priest, and he employed not just the mechanics of that early Renaissance art; he was able to bring to that art a theological depth that really far surpassed artists in the past and really opened up new avenues toward expressing the Gospel through the arts in a very vibrant way.” 

Fra Angelico was beatified in 1982, but he has not been canonized, which is why his title is "Blessed." 

From a young age, Fra Angelico was passionate about following Christ and developing his painting talent, according to Saints Resource. He joined the Dominicans at age 18, and he later became famous for his paintings of angels and holy figures. He prayed to God for guidance before he began painting each day. Pope John Paul II declared Fra Angelico the patron saint of Catholic artists in 1984. 

"I look at his art constantly as another way of meditating, so he really has inspired me,” Dolan said. “It's truly amazing. The more I look at it, the more I realize this man was a very profound theological thinker.”

Dolan was appointed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix on June 10, the diocese said on social media, adding that Dolan was grateful for the appointment and was looking forward to getting to know the people of Phoenix. 

Dolan is replacing Bishop Thomas Olmsted, who headed the Diocese of Phoenix since 2003. 

“To the men and women, religious deacons and wives, priests, lay faithful and bishops in Phoenix, I promise my heartfelt love and prayer as we journey together toward proclaiming the good news of Jesus,” Dolan was quoted as saying in American Magazine. “He is the Lord. He is our shepherd. He is our brother and our friend. And he promises us the joys of his peaceable kingdom here and in the life to come.”