José Horacio Gómez Velasco (born December 26, 1951) is a Mexican-born American prelate of the Catholic Church. He became the fifth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in California in 2011. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Denver in Colorado from 2001 to 2004 and as archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio in Texas from 2004 to 2010. Beginning on November 15, 2016, Gómez served as vice president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB); his term as vice president ended with his election as president on November 12, 2019. He was the first person of Hispanic descent to hold both positions. His three-year presidential term ended on November 15, 2022 with the election of Archbishop Timothy Broglio. Early life and education José Gómez was born on December 26, 1951, in Monterrey, Mexico, to José H. Gómez and Esperanza Velasco. He has three older sisters and one younger sister. He attended the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Monterrey, Mexico before entering the National University of Mexico in Mexico City, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1975. While attending college, Gómez joined Opus Dei, a Catholic organization founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá. From 1975 to 1980, Gómez studied at the University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain, earning his Bachelor of Theology degree and Licentiate of Theology . Priesthood On August 15, 1978, Gómez was ordained a priest of Opus Dei by Cardinal Franz König at the Shrine of Torreciudad in Aragon, Spain. In 1980, Gómez obtained a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from the University of Navarre. He then pursued pastoral work with college and high school students in Spain and Mexico. From 1987 to 1999, Gómez was in residence at Our Lady of Grace Parish in San Antonio, Texas, where he assisted in the pastoral work of the parish. During this period, he also helped in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston in Katy, Texas. Gómez became a U.S. citizen in 1995. In 1991, Gómez became a regional representative of the National Association of Hispanic Priests. He became its president in 1995 and served as executive director from 1999 to 2001. In 2003, he earned the annual Association Award, "El Buen Pastor". From 1997 to 1998, he served as a member-at-large on the board of directors for the National Catholic Council of Hispanic