Cardinal José Freire Falcão, Archbishop emeritus of Brasília, Brazil, was born on 23 October 1925 at Ererê, diocese of Limoeiro do Norte. He attended the elementary and middle school of that city and in Russas and in 1938 he entered the seminary of Prainha at Fortaleaz, where he did his higher studies, as well as philosophy and theology.

On 19 June 1949, he was ordained a priest at Limoeiro do Norte. Immediately after he began his ministry as vicar of the Cathedral. He was also vice-director of the diocesan secondary school, professor at the minor seminary and in other schools, as well as the Chaplain to Catholic Action.

After 18 years of priestly ministry, on 24 April 1967, he was elected titular Bishop of Vardimissa and named Coadjutor with the right of succession to the Bishop of Limoeiro do Norte. He received episcopal ordination on 17 June 1967, and just after two months, on 19 August, he assumed the pastoral governance of the diocese. On 25 November 1971, he was promoted Archbishop of Teresina. He lead this ecclesial community for 12 years. On 15 February 1984, he was transferred to the diocese of Brasília.

Faithful to his episcopal motto, "Serve in humility",  he dedicated his every moment to the development of the ecclesial communities entrusted to him, motivated by his great desire to proclaim the truth of the Gospel, and by a sincere and profound love of the Church and fellow man. He also carried out important duties within the National Bishops’ Conference of Brazil (CNBB). In particular, he was a member of the Commission for Pastoral Assistance, President of the Movement for Basic Education, a member of the Permanent Council and of the Representative Commission.

He was a member of the Departments of Education and Vocations, and an official of CELAM (Latin-American Episcopal Council), responsible for its sessions on ecumenism. In addition, he participated in the Latin-American Episcopal Conference and was the second Vice-President of CELAM.

He also wrote monthly articles for the daily "Brazil News" and for the "Brazilian Courier". His signature appears weekly on the Liturgical Bulletin of the Archdiocese, "People of God".

Archbishop emeritus of Brasília, 28 January 2004.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 28 June 1988, of the Title of S. Luca a Via Prenestina (St. Luke on Via Prenestina).

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