Friday, April 22, 2005
That's quick
Two days after his election, the new Pontiff re-appointed the Vatican Secretary of State (Cardinal Angelo Sodano (bio - news)), the substitute Secretary of State (Archbishop Leonardo Sandri), the Secretary for Relations with States (Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo), the president of the Vatican City-State (Cardinal Edmund Szoka), and the prefects of the Vatican congregations. In announcing the appointments on April 21, the Vatican press office reported that the Curia officials were confirmed in their posts donec aliter provideatur-- until the Pope makes other arrangements. Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls explained that technically the officials would resume their current appointments, which are for 5-year periods.
All top officials of the Roman Curia are relieved of the offices with the death of the Roman Pontiff. Pope Benedict has, essentially, appointed all of the key officials serving under Pope John Paul II (bio - news) to continue on their jobs. The Pope also confirmed the secretaries of the congregations and pontifical councils to continue their respective 5-year terms.
Pope Benedict acted quickly to confirm the top Vatican officials. Pope John Paul II, by contrast, waited 10 days after his election in October 1978 before he confirmed the Secretary of State, Cardinal Jean Villot, who had been serving in that post under Popes Paul VI and John Paul I.
Vatican-watchers expect Pope Benedict gradually to install his own team of collaborators in the top Curial posts, perhaps beginning in 2-3 months. Since several leaders of the Roman Curia are over the age of 75, and have already submitted their resignations, the new Pope is free to accept those resignations whenever he chooses. This is the case notably with Cardinal Sodano, the Secretary of State, who is 77.
Pope Benedict will also need to make a key appointment soon to fill the role that he himself has now left, as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
All top officials of the Roman Curia are relieved of the offices with the death of the Roman Pontiff. Pope Benedict has, essentially, appointed all of the key officials serving under Pope John Paul II (bio - news) to continue on their jobs. The Pope also confirmed the secretaries of the congregations and pontifical councils to continue their respective 5-year terms.
Pope Benedict acted quickly to confirm the top Vatican officials. Pope John Paul II, by contrast, waited 10 days after his election in October 1978 before he confirmed the Secretary of State, Cardinal Jean Villot, who had been serving in that post under Popes Paul VI and John Paul I.
Vatican-watchers expect Pope Benedict gradually to install his own team of collaborators in the top Curial posts, perhaps beginning in 2-3 months. Since several leaders of the Roman Curia are over the age of 75, and have already submitted their resignations, the new Pope is free to accept those resignations whenever he chooses. This is the case notably with Cardinal Sodano, the Secretary of State, who is 77.
Pope Benedict will also need to make a key appointment soon to fill the role that he himself has now left, as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
