Dominique Joseph Mathieu was born in Arlon, Belgium, on 13 June 1963. Drawn to the Conventual Franciscans, he made his solemn profession in 1987 and was ordained a priest on 24 September 1989. His ministry in the Order took him from Belgium to the East: incardinated in the Provincial Custody of the East and the Holy Land, he moved to Lebanon in 2013, serving as custodial secretary, formator and master of novices, and from 2019 as definitor general and general assistant for the Central European Federation of his Order. Along the way he studied Arabic and developed the deep sensitivity to dialogue with the Muslim world that has marked his ministry.
On 8 January 2021 Pope Francis appointed him Archbishop of Tehran–Isfahan in Iran — a Latin-rite archdiocese of a few thousand faithful scattered across a vast country — and he received episcopal consecration on 16 February 2021. In Tehran he has led the small Church through the aftermath of the pandemic, regional war and the permanent delicacy of Christian life in the Islamic Republic, insisting that the Church's task there is presence and dialogue rather than numbers. Francis created him cardinal on 7 December 2024, with the titular church of Santa Giovanna Antida Thouret; he is a member of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and was a cardinal elector in the 2025 conclave.
Consequential Quotes
Même là où la porte est fermée, l'important est qu'il y ait toujours une porte. Parce qu'une porte est toujours une invitation à entrer, aux moments fixés par Dieu.
Former les gens à prendre la responsabilité de l'Église locale, même si cela prend du temps, parce que nous sommes – ou devrions être – le levain de cette terre.
C'est d'affirmer notre présence de manière transparente, sans rien cacher de ce que nous sommes.
It is troubling to hear the idea of 'obtaining peace by force,' where violence becomes the only means of addressing conflicts.
Major Works & Initiatives
Formator in the Custody of the East and the Holy Land
Served the Conventual Franciscans' eastern custody from Lebanon as secretary, formator and master of novices, and from 2019 as definitor general for Central Europe.
Archbishop of Tehran–Isfahan
Appointed to lead Iran's Latin-rite archdiocese, one of the smallest metropolitan sees in the world, in succession to a line of Franciscan missionaries.
Member, Dicastery for the Causes of Saints
Named by Pope Francis on 11 January 2025 to the dicastery that oversees canonisation causes.
Member, Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue
Named on 3 July 2025 — a fitting brief for the archbishop of a tiny Church living as a minority among Muslims.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.