Cardinal Paul Poupard, President emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture, President emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, was born on August 30, 1930 in Bouzillé, France. He was ordained a priest on December 18, 1954, and shortly thereafter he began to teach while he continued his studies and commitment to his pastoral ministry._x000D_

He received a doctorate in theology and history from the Sorbonne University, with a thesis regarding the relationship between reason and faith and between Church and State. He also obtained a diploma in religious sciences from the School of Higher Studies._x000D_

From 1958 to 1959 he worked at the national center of scientific research and from 1959 to 1971 he served as an official of the Secretary of State and Chaplain of the San Domenico Institute in Rome. He was also present at the solemn opening of the Vatican Council II and gave his services to John XXIII and Paul VI._x000D_

Upon returning to France, he served for 10 years as Rector of the Catholic Institute of Paris, and on February 2, 1979 he was elected titular Bishop of Usula and Auxiliary of the Archbishop of Paris. He received episcopal ordination on April 6, 1979 and in the same period was called to be member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and of the Secretariat for non-Christians. He served as Auxiliary until June 27, 1980, when John Paul II promoted him to Archbishop, calling him to serve as Pro-president of the Secretariat for Non-believers. Two years later, he became the President of the Executive Committee of the newly created Pontifical Council for Culture.