Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B, Prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, was born on 8 June 1938 in Molfetta, Italy. The first of four children, he began studying at a nautical institute before deciding to enter the Salesian Aspirancy in 1953.

On 22 December 1967, he was ordained a priest after making his perpetual vows with the Salesians of St. John Bosco.

He earned a licentiate in philosophy at the Pontifical Salesian University and a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

In 1977, he was sent to Greece by the Secretariat of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. Upon his return to Rome, he taught dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Salesian University. He served as dean of the department of theology and as vice rector of the university.

In 1999, he was nominated Prelate Secretary of the Pontifical Academy of Theology.

On 19 December 2002 he was appointed Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. On 6 January 2003, he was ordained titular Archbishop of Sila.

On 9 July 2008 he was nominated by Pope Benedict XVI to be Prefect for the Causes of Saints.

He participated in the conclave of March 2013, which elected Pope Francis.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 20 November 2010, of the Deaconry of Santa Maria in Aquiro (Saint Mary in Aquiro), Deaconry elevated pro hac vice to presbyteral title (3 May 2021).