Cardinal Luis Héctor Villalba is a retired Argentine prelate known for his tireless advocacy for the poor and his fearlessness in speaking out against government corruption. Villalba is also well-known for his close association with Pope Francis.

Born on October 11, 1934, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after completing his primary and secondary education in the Argentine capital, Villalba entered the Metropolitan Seminary of Buenos Aires in 1952, having already earned the title of mercantile peritus in state schools. Villalba’s academic pursuits led him to Rome, where he obtained licentiates in theology and ecclesiastical history from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1961.

Ordained priest on September 24, 1960, Villalba’s early career was marked by significant roles in education and formation. In 1967, he was appointed prefect of the major seminary and professor in the Faculty of Theology at the Catholic University of Buenos Aires. The following year, he became the first director of the San José vocational institute, preparing candidates for the priesthood. His leadership in education continued as he served as dean of the faculty of theology from 1969 to 1971.

Villalba’s ecclesiastical journey took a significant turn on October 20, 1984, when he was assigned the titular see of Ofena and appointed as auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires. His responsibilities grew as he was transferred to the diocese of San Martin on July 16, 1991. The pinnacle of his diocesan leadership came on July 8, 1999, when he was appointed metropolitan archbishop of Tucumán, a position he held until June 10, 2011.

Throughout his career, Villalba has been an influential figure in the Argentine Episcopal Conference. He served as the first deputy president for two consecutive terms (2005-2011) under the presidency of then-Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio. His contributions to the Church also included roles as president of the Episcopal Commission for Catechesis and membership in the Commission for the Lay Apostolate.

In recognition of his lifelong service and dedication, Pope Francis elevated Villalba to the cardinalate on February 14, 2015, receiving the title of San Girolamo a Corviale.

Villalba is well known for his tireless advocacy for the poor and his outspoken criticism of government corruption. He gained particular notoriety for his fearless homilies delivered during the annual Independence Day celebrations in Tucumán, where he would challenge government positions on various social issues and condemn corruption in the presence of the President of Argentina.

Even in his later years, Cardinal Villalba continued to serve the Church in significant capacities, such as presiding over the beatification of Fray Mamerto Esquiú as a papal representative on September 4, 2021.