Bishop Robert Barron

Bishop Robert E. Barron (born November 19, 1959) is the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester, appointed by Pope Francis in June 2022. Founder and primary voice behind Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, he transformed his early radio homilies into an influential multimedia platform, producing award-winning documentaries like Catholicism and The Pivotal Players.

A dynamic public theologian, Barron’s digital footprint is immense—with hundreds of millions of video views and millions of followers across platforms—making him one of the most recognized Catholic voices globally. He has authored numerous best-selling books, most recently This Is My Body, named 2024 Author of the Year. Bishop Barron also leads new efforts to integrate digital evangelization into formal ecclesial life, launching a pioneering congregation dedicated to this mission.