Cardinal Paulo Cezar Costa, Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Brasília (Brazil), was born on 20 July 1967 in Valença, in the diocese of the same name. He completed his studies in philosophy at Nossa Senhora do Amor Divino seminary in Petrópolis and in theology at the Higher Institute of Theology of the metropolitan archdiocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. He then obtained his licentiate and doctorate in dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1996-2001).

He received priestly ordination on 5 December 1992 and was incardinated in the diocese of Valença.

During his priestly ministry he held the following positions: parish vicar in Paraíba do Sul (1993); parish priest of São Sebastião dos Ferreiros parish in Vassouras (1994-1996), parish priest of Santa Rosa de Lima parish in Valença (2001-2006); director and professor of the Department of Theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (2007-2010); rector of the Paulo VI Interdiocesan Seminary and director of the Paulo VI Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Nova Iguaçu (2006-2010). On November 24, 2010, he was appointed titular bishop of Esco and auxiliary of the metropolitan archdiocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. He received episcopal ordination on 5 February 2011. On 22 June 2016, he was transferred as bishop of São Carlos. Within the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, he is a member of the Permanent Council and the Episcopal Commission for Culture and Education. Since 2020 he has been a member of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

On 21 October 2020, the Holy Father Francis appointed him metropolitan archbishop of the archdiocese of Brasília, Brazil.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 27 August 2022, of the Title of Ss. Bonifacio ed Alessio.

Member of:

• Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.
• Pontifical Commission for Latin America.