Cardinal James Michael Harvey is a discreet, conservative-leaning American Vatican diplomat and former long-serving prefect of the Pontifical Household who currently serves as Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

Born on October 20, 1949, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he studied at the seminary in his hometown before being sent to complete his formation in Rome. While living at the Pontifical North American College he obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Theology and graduated in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University.

His ecclesiastical career began when he was ordained as a priest by Pope Paul VI in Rome on June 29, 1975. In 1980, Cardinal Harvey entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See, initially serving for two years in the papal representation of the Dominican Republic before beginning his service in the Secretariat of State in 1982. His career progressed rapidly, with notable appointments including prelate of honor to His Holiness and councilor of the Secretariat of State for General Affairs.

Pope John Paul II appointed him prefect of the Papal Household in 1998, consecrating him titular Bishop of Memphis and fifteen years later elevating him to titular Archbishop of Memphis.

In November 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Harvey as Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and elevated him to cardinal shortly afterwards.

His appointment to the basilica followed the 2012 Vatileaks scandal when confidential documents were leaked from the Vatican, causing significant embarrassment to the Holy See. Cardinal Harvey was not personally implicated in the leaks, but a member of Harvey’s staff in the Pontifical Household was convicted of stealing documents and sharing them with the media.

Cardinal Harvey was a highly regarded prefect of the Pontifical Household, a crucial position responsible for managing various aspects of the Pope’s official duties and the Vatican’s administrative functions. He became a trusted and loyal confidant to both Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI, serving in the role for twenty-four years.

The American cardinal is known for having conservative views on the Church, but he declines media interviews or speaks in public away from the pulpit, and so his opinions on current issues are largely unknown.

Cardinal Harvey is a member of the Knights of Columbus and an honorary member of the Circolo San Pietro. He has received several decorations, including the Gran Cruz de la Real Orden de Isabel la Católica of Spain and the Cavalierato di Gran Croce dell’Ordine del Merito of the Italian Republic.

On July 1, 2024 he was elevated to the rank of cardinal-priest.

As well as his native English, Cardinal Harvey speaks Italian, German, French, and Spanish.