Archbishop of Conakry
François Sylla was born on April 9, 1972, in Siboty, in the Archdiocese of Conakry. He attended the Jean XXIII Minor and Propaedeutic Seminary in Kindia and studied Philosophy and Theology at the Saint Augustin de Samaya Major Seminary in Bamako, Mali. He was ordained a priest on November 21, 2004, in Conakry. He held the following positions and pursued further studies: Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of Conakry (2004–2007); Master’s degree in Comparative Law of Religions at the Faculty of Theology in Lugano, Switzerland (2007–2010); pastoral service at the San Giovanni Battista Parish in Induno Olona, Archdiocese of Milan (2007–2011); Doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome (2010–2013); Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Conakry (since 2013); Judicial Vicar and President of the Metropolitan Tribunal of Conakry (since 2015); Prefect of Studies at the Benoit XVI Major Seminary in Kendoumayah (2017–2020); and President of the Clergy Union of Guinea (2018–2022). Since 2020, he has served as Rector of the Benoit XVI Major Seminary in Kendoumayah.