Gérald Caussé named as new LDS Church apostle, signaling global focus in leadership ranks

Gérald Caussé has been called as the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expanding the international profile of the faith’s top leadership. The selection, announced and ordained on November 6, 2025, follows the recent leadership transition that placed Dallin H. Oaks as church president. Caussé, a native of France, becomes the first apostle from that country and one of only a handful of Europeans to serve in the Twelve.

New apostle LDS: why this call matters now

The appointment fills a high-visibility vacancy at a moment of institutional change and consolidation. With a new church president in place and a sustained emphasis on global growth, calling Elder Caussé—long known for his administrative depth, financial stewardship, and worldwide temple program leadership—signals continuity in two areas the church has prioritized for years: temple access and humanitarian/welfare capacity. It also underscores a larger demographic reality: a majority of church membership now lives outside the United States, and leadership increasingly reflects that spread.

Elder Gérald Caussé apostle: background and responsibilities

Before joining the Twelve, Elder Caussé spent roughly a decade as Presiding Bishop, the role that oversees the church’s temporal affairs—including welfare operations, humanitarian initiatives, facilities, and global temple construction pipelines. That portfolio demanded coordination across continents, budgets, and regulatory environments, building a reputation for process discipline and efficient delivery.

As an apostle, his mandate shifts from day-to-day temporal management to worldwide ecclesiastical leadership: teaching and testifying, directing missionary and temple work, and helping set doctrinal and administrative priorities alongside the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Quick facts: Elder Caussé

• Birthplace: Bordeaux, France

• Notable roles: Presiding Bishop; previous Europe-based leadership assignments

• Distinctives: Multilingual, internationally experienced; known for music and public speaking as well as organizational rigor

LDS Church apostles: what Caussé’s appointment signals

Global representation at the top

Calling a French Latter-day Saint to the Twelve continues a multi-year pattern of broadening geographic representation among LDS Church apostles. That shift tracks with missionary growth in Africa, Latin America, and Europe, and with an aggressive temple construction program designed to reduce travel burdens for members far from historic centers.

Operations meet ministry

Few leaders arrive at apostleship with such hands-on exposure to the church’s temporal systems. Elder Caussé’s experience with budgets, logistics, and long-horizon building projects may influence how the Twelve prioritize temple district planning, welfare distribution models, and sustainability for meetinghouses and temples.

Stability after transition

The appointment comes weeks after a presidential succession, reinforcing institutional steadiness. The cadence—announce, ordain, and seat the new apostle—keeps the Twelve at full strength and maintains continuity for global administration.

New apostle Latter-day Saint timeline and context

• September 2025: Passing of the previous church president; senior apostle Dallin H. Oaks moves into the presidency through established succession.

• October–November 2025: Leadership adjustments finalize; Quorum of the Twelve vacancy addressed.

• November 6, 2025: Elder Gérald Caussé is called and ordained an apostle.

Note: Dates reflect publicly announced milestones; schedules may evolve as assignments are made.

What’s next for Elder Caussé and the Twelve

• Area ministry assignments: Expect international travel and training responsibilities as visit schedules are set for 2026.

• Temple and welfare briefings: While he shifts from presiding over temporal affairs, Elder Caussé’s perspective could inform strategic reviews of construction pipelines, maintenance standards, and humanitarian deployment.

• General conferences and broadcasts: Members can anticipate his voice in upcoming addresses, where new apostles traditionally outline themes of discipleship, unity, and covenant living.

Search trends explained: “new apostle,” “Elder Caussé,” and “LDS Church apostles”

Interest in “new apostle LDS” and “Elder Caussé apostle” surged with the announcement, as did queries such as “Gerald Caussé apostle” and “new LDS apostle.” For many searching “LDS Church apostles,” the key takeaways are straightforward: the Quorum is again at full complement, the leadership transition remains orderly, and the newest apostle brings European roots and deep administrative experience at a time when global cohesion is central to the church’s mission.

The call of Gérald Caussé as a new apostle blends symbolism and substance—an international face at the summit of leadership, and a seasoned hand attuned to the operational realities of a worldwide church.