The Cardinal Archpriest

Cardinal James Michael Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, was born in Milwaukee (USA), in the State of Wisconsin, on October 20, 1949.

He obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Theology and graduated in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

He was ordained a priest by Pope Paul VI in Rome on June 29 of the Holy Year 1975. He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on March 25, 1980. He served for the first two years in the papal representation of the Dominican Republic. With the status of nunciature councilor on 10 July 1982 he began his service among the diplomatic personnel in the Secretariat of State. Prelate of honor to His Holiness from 9 November 1994, he was appointed Councilor of the Secretariat of State for General Affairs on 22 July 1997.

On 7 February 1998 Pope John Paul II entrusted him with the post of Prefect of the Papal Household. The same Pontiff ordained him bishop, assigning him the titular Church of Memfi, on 19 March 1998 in the Vatican Basilica and then, on 29 September 2003, promoted him to archiepiscopal dignity.

On November 23, 2012, he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Benedict XVI in the Consistory of 24 November 2012, of the Diaconia of San Pio V in Villa Carpegna.

He is a member of the Congregations for the Evangelization of Peoples and the Causes of Saints, as well as of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.