Cardinal James Michael Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA), on 20 October 1949. He studied at the seminary in his hometown before being sent to complete his formation in Rome. He lived at the Pontifical North American College and earned a degree in canon law.
He was one of the 359 priests to be ordained by Paul VI on 29 June 1975, the 12th anniversary of his election to the papal throne, and was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
He studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome and entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 25 March 1980. He served for two years at the pontifical representation in the Dominican Republic. On 10 July 1982, as a nunciature counsellor, he began his service in the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State.
On 22 July 1997 he was appointed Assessor for General Affairs, and on 16 November of the same year, he was named a member of the Committee for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000.
On 7 February 1998 he was appointed Prefect of the Pontifical Household. On 19 March 1998 he was consecrated bishop and named titular bishop of Memphis.
Five years later, on 29 September 2003, he was raised to the dignity of Archbishop.
On 23 November 2012 he was appointed Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls.
He is a member of the Knights of Colombus and an honorary member of the Circolo San Pietro. He has received several decorations, including the Gran Cruz de la Real Orden de Isabel la Católica of Spain and the Cavalierato di Gran Croce dell’Ordine del Merito of the Italian Republic.
He participated in the conclave of March 2013, which elected Pope Francis.
Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 24 November 2012, of the Deaconry of San Pio V a Villa Carpegna (St. Pius V a Villa Carpegna), Deaconry elevated pro hac vice to presbyteral title (1 July 2024).
Member of:
- Dicasteries: for the Evangelization; for the Causes of Saints;
- Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See;
- Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.