Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, was born on24 April 1947 in Mafra, Brazil. 

He was ordained a priest on 26 November 1972 for the Diocese of Apucurana.He holds a licence in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and doctorate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Lateran University.

On 6 April 1994, he was appointed titular bishop of Flenucleta and Auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Vitória. He received episcopal ordination on 31 May 1994.

On 12 August 1998, he transferred to Ponta Grossa and on 17 July 2002 he was elevated Archbishop of Maringá.

On 28 January 2004, he was appointed Archbishop of Brasília, where in 2010 he organized the XVI Eucharistic National Congress.

He was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on 4 January 2011.

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

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 18 February 2012, of the Deaconry of S. Elena fuori Porta Prenestina (St. Helena outside Prenestina Gate).

Member of:

• Congregations: for the Clergy, for Catholic Education; for Bishops;
• Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses.
• Dicastery for Liaty, Family and Life.