- Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé was named the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
- He was the first non-native English speaker to serve as presiding bishop, a calling he had for 11 years.
- In conference talks, Caussé has emphasized discipleship in Christ, responsible stewardship and trusting in the Lord.
SALT LAKE CITY — Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé was announced Thursday as the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Now-Elder Caussé, 62, has been serving as the church's presiding bishop for the past 11 years. He was called to the apostleship on Thursday and then ordained the same day by President Dallin H. Oaks and the other members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
"I've always had a testimony of Jesus Christ," Elder Caussé said in a news release from the church. "He's always been in the center of my life. I know Jesus Christ lives. And I know he's our Savior and Redeemer. What a wonderful thing it is to be a witness of Christ. That's the best responsibility or stewardship we might have in our lives."
Elder Caussé is a native of Bordeaux, France. He was the third presiding bishop born outside the United States and the first for whom English is a second language, according to the church.
Elder Caussé previously served as a counselor in the Presiding Bishopric and as a General Authority Seventy. He married Valérie Babin on Aug. 5, 1986, in the church's Bern Switzerland Temple. The couple has five children.
Due to his callings in the church, he and his family have lived in Germany and the United States.
The new apostle has spoken in the church's twice-yearly general conference meeting several times. His talks have touched on the importance of being responsible stewards of the Earth, emphasizing what it means to be a disciple of Christ, and how relying on the Lord can bring blessings even amid trials.
"The Lord loves you personally. He knows your circumstances, and the door to his blessings remains wide open to you no matter the challenges you face," he said in his most recent conference address in April 2025.
Prior to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Elder Caussé spoke to youth in a devotional broadcast, comparing the discipline of athleticism to discipleship. He was joined by former BYU basketball star and Olympic athlete Jimmer Fredette and two-time Olympic gold gymnast Peter Vidmar.
"(Olympic) athletes are an incarnation of the universality of the values that unite all these countries," he said. "These are values that are close to the values of the gospel — especially the fact that all the sons and daughters are united together for the same event, to celebrate the same thing — something that's absolutely remarkable, which echoes what we preach: to have a world that's divided and conflicted see that the people of the world can be reunited. It fills us with joy."
Elder Caussé is the third apostle who hails from Europe, joining Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of Germany, and Elder Patrick Kearon, of England.
During a special tribute broadcast honoring the life of President Russell M. Nelson last month, Elder Caussé expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to meet weekly with President Nelson. He said he always learned from President Nelson's "remarkable leadership and Christlike example."
"President Russell M. Nelson was exactly the man you believed him to be. He embodied unwavering faith, pure love and profound compassion for all of God's children. His legendary gift for remembering names reflected not only a sharp mind, but also a true shepherd's heart," he said.
