Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo, Archbishop emeritus of São Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, was born on 19 October 1933 in Juiz de Fora, Brazil. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of São Paulo on 29 June 1957 and holds a doctorate in liturgy from the Pontifical Athenaeum of St Anselm, Rome.

He was director of the philosophical seminary, Aparecida, spiritual director and professor at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Ipiranga, professor of liturgical and sacramental theology at Pius XI Theological Institute and rector of Our Lady of the Assumption Seminary.

On 5 May 1978 he was appointed Bishop of Toledo and received episcopal ordination on 6 August. On 4 October 1982 he was promoted to Archbishop of Londrina. He was President of the Brazilian Bishops' Liturgical Commission. On 16 September 1991 he was appointed Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. 

He was named Archbishop of São Salvador da Bahia on 13 January 1999.

He was nominated second Vice President of CELAM in May 1999 until May 2003.

In May 2003 he was elected president of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops and finished his mandate in May 2007.

President of the Fifth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate, Aparecida, Brazil (13 - 31 May 2007).

Archbishop emeritus of São Salvador da Bahia, 12 January 2001.

He participated in the conclave of April 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI and in the conclave of March 2013, which elected Pope Francis.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by the St. John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 2001, of the Title ofSan Gregorio Magno alla Magliana Nuova (St. Gregory the Great at Magliana Nuova).

Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo died on 26 August 2023.