Pierre Nguyễn Văn Nhơn

Pierre Nguyễn Văn Nhơn was born in Đà Lạt, Vietnam, on 1 April 1938 and ordained a priest on 21 December 1967. Appointed coadjutor Bishop of Đà Lạt in October 1991, his consecration on 3 December 1991 was the first of a bishop in southern Vietnam since the 1975 communist takeover — it required government authorization and was covered by state radio and television. He succeeded as Bishop of Đà Lạt in March 1994 and served sixteen years, including as president of the Vietnamese bishops' conference.

On 22 April 2010 he was appointed coadjutor Archbishop of Hanoi, succeeding Archbishop Ngô Quang Kiệt — whose departure had followed reported government pressure — on 13 May. His style was patient dialogue: “Such dialogue requires patience and sincerity. I've seen obvious efforts from the Vatican, as well as from the government. The direction looks positive, but the path is still long and we need time.” Francis created him a cardinal on 14 February 2015, with the title of San Tommaso Apostolo; he retired on 17 November 2018. His motto is Illum oportet crescere — “he must increase.”