Most Reverend Michael McGovern was born on July 1, 1964, in Evergreen Park, Illinois.

He is the youngest child of the late Joseph and Eleanor McGovern. Bishop McGovern grew up in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago where many of his family members continue living.

The McGovern family was active in Christ the King Parish and all of the children attended Christ the King Grammar School. Activities during grammar school included being an altar server at Christ the King.

Bishop McGovern then attended St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. During high school, he served as a Lector both at St. Ignatius and at his home parish, Christ the King.

Bishop McGovern attended Loyola University in Chicago (1982-86). At Loyola University he was invited to participate in the Honors Program and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in 1986.

After graduating from Loyola University, Bishop McGovern worked for four years before applying for admission as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Chicago at Mundelein Seminary. He was awarded a Baccalaureate degree in Theology in 1993 and a Master of Divinity in 1994.

On May 21, 1994, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin ordained Father Michael McGovern to the priesthood in Holy Name Cathedral. He served as an Associate Pastor at Queen of the Universe Parish, St. Mary in Lake Forest and St. Juliana in Chicago.

On December 15, 2004, Cardinal Francis George appointed Father McGovern Pastor of St. Mary in Lake Forest.

On July 1, 2016, Cardinal Blase Cupich appointed Father McGovern Pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in Old Mill Creek, Illinois.

On July 22, 2020, Cardinal Blase Cupich ordained and installed Bishop McGovern as the Ninth Bishop of the Diocese of Belleville in the Cathedral of St. Peter.

On March 31, 2025, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend George Lucas and appointed Archbishop-designate Michael McGovern the sixth Archbishop of Omaha. He was installed as Archbishop of Omaha on May 7, 2025, at the Cathedral of St. Cecilia, Omaha, Nebraska.