Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, ws born on 21 September 1953 in Geseke in the Federal Republic of Germany. He studied theology and philosophy in Paderborn and at the Catholic University of Paris. 

He was ordained a priest on 2 June 1979.

In 1986, he continued his studies at the University of Bouchum and earned a doctorate in theology. In 1989, he was nominated Director of the Social Institute "Kommende". He was also professor of social doctrine of the church at the theology faculty of Paderborn.

On 23 July 1996 he was appointed titular Bishop of Petina and Auxiliary of Paderborn. He was consecrated on 21 September 1996.

On 20 December 2001 he was named Bishop of Trier.

On 30 November 2007 he was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising.

He was elected President of the German Bishop's Conference (12 March 2014).

On 22 March 2012 he was elected President of the Commission of the Bishops' Conference of the European Community (COMECE).

On 13 April 2013 he was made a member of the Council of Cardinals established to advise Pope Francis in the government of the universal Church and to study a plan for revising the Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia, ‘Pastor Bonus’.

On 8 March 2014 Pope Francis appointed him as Coordinator ad quinquennium of the members of the Council for the Economy.

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 Title of San Corbiniano (Saint Corbinian).

Member of:

• Dicastery for the Oriental Churches;
• Council for the Economy.