Cardinal Robert Walter McElroy, Archbishop of Washington (U.S.A.), was born in San Francisco, California, in the archdiocese of the same name, on 5 February 1954. After attending Saint Joseph Minor Seminary, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in history from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1975) and a masters degree in history from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California (1976). He completed his ecclesiastical studies at Saint Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, California. He then obtained a licentiate in theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California (1985). He later received a doctorate in moral theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1986) and a doctorate in Political Science from Stanford University (1989).

He was ordained a priest for the archdiocese of San Francisco on 12 April 1980.

Since his ordination, he has held the following positions: parish vicar of Saint Cecilia Parish in San Francisco (1980-1982); personal secretary to Archbishop John R. Quinn and master of ceremonies (1982-1985); parish vicar of Saint Pius Parish in Redwood City (1989-1995); vicar general (1995-1997); parish priest of Saint Gregory Parish in San Mateo and archdiocesan consultor (1997-2010).

In 1996 he was appointed Prelate of Honour of His Holiness.

After being appointed Titular Bishop of Gemellae in Byzacena and Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco on 6 July 2010, he received episcopal consecration on 7 September.

On 3 March 2015, Holy Father Francis appointed him Bishop of San Diego (U.S.A.).

He was created and proclaimed cardinal by Pope Francis in the Consistory of 27 August 2022, and was assigned the titular church S. Frumenzio ai Prati Fiscali.

Member of:

• Dicasteries for the Laity, Family and Life; for the Promoting Integral Human Development.