Biography

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 71 years ago, Donald William Wuerl was ordained a priest in 1966, after also studying at the Pontifical North American College, the American seminary in Rome. He was appointed bishop in January 1986 by Pope John Paul II. After two years in Seattle, he was transferred to his hometown. In 2006, Benedict XVI chose him for the Archdiocese of Washington. In 2008, Archbishop Wuerl was host to Pope Benedict during his apostolic visit to the United States, and in the consistory of November 2010 he was made a cardinal. Last May he took possession of the Basilica of which he is titular bishop in Rome, St Peter in Chains.