Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, is Archbishop Emeritus of Caracas, a former professor and an influential Venezuelan prelate noted for his leadership skills.

Born on October 10, 1944, in Caracas, Venezuela, Porras Cardozo pursued his philosophical studies at the Interdiocesan Seminary of Caracas and later obtained a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical University of Salamanca, Spain, in 1966. In 1977, he earned a doctorate in pastoral theology from the same university’s Higher Institute of Pastoral Care.

Porras Cardozo was ordained priest on July 30, 1967, at the age of 22. Following his ordination, he served in various roles, including cooperating vicar, minister, assistant diocesan cursillo, and professor at the seminary and other institutions. He also held positions as director of the Colegio Nuestra Señora del Rosario and professor at the IUT de los Llanos.

His ecclesiastical career progressed rapidly. On July 23, 1983, at the age of 38, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Mérida, Venezuela, and Titular Bishop of Lamdia. He received his episcopal consecration on September 17 of the same year. On October 30, 1991, Pope John Paul II appointed him as Metropolitan Archbishop of Mérida, a position he assumed on December 5, 1991

Porras Cardozo has been an influential figure in the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, serving as its president for two consecutive terms from 1999 to 2006, following a long tenure as vice-president. He also served as the first vice-president of CELAM (Latin American Episcopal Council) from 2007 to 2011 and has been a member of the Special Council for America of the Synod of Bishops since 1997.

On November 19, 2016, Pope Francis elevated Porras Cardozo to the rank of Cardinal, appointing him Cardinal-Priest of Santi Giovanni Evangelista e Petronio. His responsibilities continued to expand when he was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Caracas on July 9, 2018.

In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as Metropolitan Archbishop of Caracas, succeeding the late Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino who had died of COVID-19. However, Porras Cardozo’s tenure in this role was brief, as he retired from this position on June 28, 2024, at the age of 79.

Throughout his career, Cardinal Porras Cardozo has been a member of several important Vatican bodies, including the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the Dicasteries for the Clergy and for Laity, Family and Life.