Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature, was born on 7 March 1952 in Marrakech, Morocco, to French parents who returned to their homeland shortly after his birth. He studied public law and political science. After entering the Pontifical French Seminary in Rome, he was ordained a priest on 20 September 1981 for the Diocese of Ajaccio, Corsica.  He earned a degree in canon law and began studying at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.  He entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service on 1 March 1986.

He served in the papal representations in Algeria (1986-1990), Chile (1990-1993), at the United Nations in New York (1993-1996), in Lebanon (1996-1999), and at the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State (1999-2002).

He received his episcopal ordination on 3 July 2002, subsequent to his appointment as Apostolic Nuncio in Sudan, titular Archbishop of Sagona and Apostolic Delegate in Somalia.  On 19 February 2004 he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Eritrea.  Two years later, on 15 September 2006, he was appointed secretary for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State by Pope Benedict XVI and served until mid-January 2015.  As secretary he led many Holy See delegations at international meetings and conferences, especially at the General Assembly of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

On 8 November 2014, Pope Francis appointed him prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature.

On 28 April 2015 he was appointed President of the Commission for Lawyers.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 15 February 2015, of the Title of Santo Spirito in Sassia (Holy Spirit in Sassia).

Member of:

• Secretariat of State (second section);
• Dicasteries: for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments; for the Causes of Saints; for the Evangelization; for Legislative Texts.