An interview with Hyattsville’s Cardinal Wilton Gregory aired Monday on the “Today” show with Al Roker as part of its “Changemakers” series.

Gregory, who was personally chosen by Pope Francis and became the first African-American cardinal in history, was interviewed in person by Roker in January at the pastoral center where he works near the West Hyattsville Metro station.

In the interview with Roker, who is also Catholic, Gregory discussed his path to the priesthood, his thoughts on being the archbishop of Washington when the president is Catholic and his prayer at a recent memorial service for victims of the coronavirus.

He also discussed his experience with racism, discussing his visit as a child to Emmett Till’s funeral and times when he’s been mistreated in public.

Gregory said that when he is dressed as a member of the clergy, “I’m treated with great respect and affection. But if I take off my clerics to go out … I’m in the pool of every other African American man in Washington.”

“I don’t know of any African American who hasn’t tasted the bitter cup of discrimination,” he said.