Odilo Scherer


Odilo Pedro Scherer
Cardinal, Archbishop of São Paulo
Scherer on 16 September 2018
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseSão Paulo
SeeSão Paulo
Appointed21 March 2007
Installed29 April 2007
PredecessorCláudio Hummes
Other post(s)Cardinal-Priest of Sant’Andrea al Quirinale (2007–)
Previous post(s)
Orders
Ordination7 December 1976
by Armando Círio
Consecration2 February 2002
by Cláudio Hummes
Created cardinal24 November 2007
by Pope Benedict XVI
RankCardinal-Priest
Personal details
Born
Otto Pedro Scherer

(1949-09-21) 21 September 1949
DenominationRoman Catholic
MottoIn meam commemorationem ("In memory of me")
Coat of arms
Styles of
Odilo Scherer
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal
SeeSão Paulo

Odilo Pedro Scherer (Portuguese pronunciation: [oˈdʒilu ˈpedɾu ˈʃɛɾeʁ]; born 21 September 1949) is a Brazilian cardinal of the Catholic Church. Since 2007 he has been the Archbishop of São Paulo, where he was auxiliary bishop from 2001 to 2007. From 1994 to 2001 he worked in the Roman Curia at the Congregation for Bishops.

Pope Benedict XVI made him a cardinal in 2007. Scherer was mentioned in the international media as a possible contender to succeed Benedict in 2013. When Scherer submitted his resignation as required at the age of 75, Pope Francis asked him to serve for two more years.

He has been described as "an intellectual with great command of finance and economics" and "on the bookish side". His theology and pastoral approach has been called "considered to be theologically moderate, though in his own country he is seen as fairly conservative". In style he is reserved. He eschews the politics and language of liberation theology, but preaches and practices an evangelism devoted to the suffering of the poor and open to lay participation and charismatic movements.