He grew up in Vianden and attended the École Apostolique of Clairefontaine in Eischen and the Lycée Classique in Diekirch.

From 1985 to 1989, Hollerich studied Japanese language and culture as well as theology at Sophia University in Tokyo.

He is a member of the Japanese Jesuit province and was a professor of German, French and European studies (1994-2011) and Vice-Rector for General and Student Affairs of the Sophia University in Tokyo.

[4] In March 2018, he was elected to a five-year term as president of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE).

[5] Pope Francis appointed him to participate in the 2018 Synod of Bishops on Youth, Faith, and vocational discernment.

[citation needed] On 5 October 2019, Pope Francis made him Cardinal-Priest of San Giovanni Crisostomo a Monte Sacro Alto.

He said: "I love my celibacy, I stand by it, but I see that married deacons can preach differently than I do, and I find that in itself a wonderful addition.

[11] He also said he supported asking the "big questions" but hoped the anticipated German synod would recognize its obligations to the Church worldwide.

"[15] In response, an anonymous memo later revealed to have been authored by Cardinal George Pell referred to Hollerich as "explicitly heretical.