Karl Lehmann was born on May 16, 1936 in Sigmaringen.

After studying theology and philosophy, he was ordained a priest by Julius Döpfner in Rome in 1963 and, after a university career, became Bishop of Mainz in 1983.

From 1987 to 2008, he was Chairman of the German Bishops' Conference. In 2001, Lehmann was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II.

He was received at the Wiesbaden Kurhaus on May 4, 2001 on the occasion of the awarding of the Nachman Prize. Lord Mayor Hildebrand Diehl welcomed the ecclesiastical dignitary to Wiesbaden.

In his speech, Cardinal Lehmann called for more composure. Speed should not become a criterion for rank and success.

After his remarks, he signed the city's Golden Book.