Bernardin Gantin, born on May 8, 1922, in Toffo, Benin (then French Dahomey), was a prominent Catholic prelate whose ecclesiastical career spanned over five decades. He entered the minor seminary in Ouidah at the age of fourteen and was ordained a priest on January 14, 1951, in Lomé, Togo, by Archbishop Louis Parisot. Following his ordination, Gantin dedicated himself to pastoral work and teaching languages at the seminary. In 1953, he pursued further studies in Rome, earning licentiates in theology and canon law from the Pontifical Urban University and the Pontifical Lateran University, respectively.

Gantin's episcopal journey began when Pope Pius XII appointed him titular bishop of Tipasa and auxiliary bishop of Cotonou on December 11, 1956. He received his episcopal consecration on February 3, 1957, from Cardinal Eugène Tisserant. On January 5, 1960, Pope John XXIII elevated him to Archbishop of Cotonou. During his tenure, Gantin participated in all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), where he forged a lasting friendship with the future Pope John Paul II. In 1971, he commenced his service in the Roman Curia, holding significant positions such as President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. Pope Paul VI created him a cardinal in 1977, and in 1993, he became the first non-European to serve as Dean of the College of Cardinals.

After retiring in 2002, Gantin returned to Benin, where he continued to influence the Church until his death on May 13, 2008, in Paris, France.