Marc Ouelett was born on June 8, 1944, near Amos, in northwestern Quebec. Ouellet is one of eight children born to a headmaster father and housewife mother. In early 2013, upon the sudden resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Ouellet was being touted as one of the likeliest successors — perhaps even the favourite — to take over as Pontiff. Ouellet, named a cardinal in 2003 by Pope John Paul II, was appointed in 2010 head of the powerful Congregation for Bishops, which vets bishops nominations worldwide.
