Cardinal Jean Zerbo is a retired Archbishop of Bamako (Mali) who has dedicated his priestly life to fostering dialogue between Christians and Mali’s Muslim majority, participating in peace negotiations, and advocating for national reconciliation.

Born on December 27, 1943, in Ségou, Mali, Zerbo was ordained priest on July 10, 1971, for the Diocese of Ségou. He pursued higher education, earning a licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome between 1977 and 1981.

Upon returning to Mali, Zerbo dedicated himself to teaching at the major seminary in Bamako and serving as a pastor in Markala. His leadership qualities were recognized early, leading to his consecration as auxiliary bishop of Bamako in 1988 at the age of 44.

Zerbo’s ecclesiastical career continued to flourish as he was appointed Bishop of Mopti in 1994, and later elevated to Archbishop of Bamako in June 1998. His most significant recognition came in June 2017 when Pope Francis elevated him to the rank of Cardinal, giving Mali its first ever red hat. The appointment was seen as a powerful message for peace in Mali, a country that has faced civil war and religious conflicts.

Throughout his ministry, Cardinal Zerbo has been actively involved in peace negotiations during Mali’s civil conflict, earning him the moniker “cardinal of peace.” He has been a vocal advocate for humanitarian aid, addressing issues of hunger, thirst, and disease resulting from the war. Zerbo has consistently emphasized the need for reconciliation and conversion of hearts, regardless of faith, as a path to peace.

Cardinal Zerbo’s leadership has been particularly significant given Mali’s religious landscape, where Christians are a minority in a predominantly Muslim nation. He has described the situation of Christians in Mali as “a test comparable to that of the early disciples,” highlighting the challenges faced by the Catholic community in the country.

After serving as the Archbishop of Bamako for over two decades, Cardinal Zerbo retired from this position on July 25, 2024, at the age of 80. His legacy as a peacemaker, advocate for interfaith dialogue, and the first Malian cardinal continues to inspire and influence the Catholic Church in Mali and beyond.