Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, was born on April 5, 1943 in Bordeaux, France. He was ordained a priest on September 20, 1969. He holds licentiates in philosophy and theology and a degree in canon law. Following ordination, he served as parochial vicar in Bordeaux.

In March 1975 he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See and was assigned to the Apostolic Nunciature of the Dominican Republic, and was later transferred to the Apostolic Nunciature in Lebanon. He represented the Holy See at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and participated in various European conferences.

In 1988 he was appointed Undersecretary of the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church. 

On January 6, 1991 he was consecrated as titular Archbishop of Thelepte and appointed as Secretary of the Council (now known as the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State). He has led the Holy See Delegation at numerous international conferences.

On November 24, 2003 he was nominated Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church.

On June 25, 2007 he was nominated President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, which he ceased to be on February 28, 2013 upon the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of October 21, 2003, of the Deaconry of S. Apollinare alle Terme Neroniane-Alessandrine (St. Apollonius at the Neronian-Alexandrian Baths). He was officially installed on December 14, 2003.

Member of:

• Secretariat of State (second section);
• Congregations: for the Doctrine of the Faith; for the Oriental Churches; for Bishops;
• Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity;
• Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature;
• Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See;
• Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.