Sodano Named Dean Of College Of Cardinals

[Veritas]

VATICAN CITY (AP) - The Vatican’s No. 2 official, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, has been named dean of the College of Cardinals, the powerful position held by Pope Benedict XVI before his election as pope.

The Vatican said Saturday that the pope had given approval to Sodano’s appointment, which was made by the cardinals. The Italian-born Sodano, 77, is also the Vatican’s secretary of state, a position he has held since 1991.

The dean of the College of Cardinals has a prominent role inside the Vatican, and one that becomes especially important after the death of a pope. Among other things, the dean presides over the conclave of cardinals that elects the new pontiff. . . . .​

apnews.myway.com/article/20050430/D89POM980.html

 

[chicago]

Who’s the new vice dean?

 

[davidc2]

chicago:

Who’s the new vice dean?

The new Vice Dean is Roger Marie Élie Cardinal Etchegaray.

 

[Amadeus]

The Dean, Cardinal Sodano and formerly SubDean, was elected solely by the 6 Latin Rite Cardinals in the Order of Bishops and not by the entire College of Cardinals. The 3 Eastern Rite Patriarchs in the Order are, by canon law and by tradition, do/did not participate in the election of the Dean.

When Cardinal Ratzinger was elected Pope, a vacancy in the Order of Bishops occurred, which was filled with the appointment of Cardinal Arinze by Pope Benedict XVI as the 6th and most junior of the Latin Rite Cardinals (within the Order of Bishops).

During the time of Pope John Paul II, the Deanship of the College of Cardinals went to the most senior among the 6 Latin Rite Cardinals in the Order of Bishops. Thus, when Cardinal Gantin retired as Dean, Cardinal Ratzinger was elected in his place. Now that he is Pope, Cardinal Sodano, the SubDean, was elected as the next Dean. Cardinal Etchegaray, now as SubDean, should be elected as Dean in the future if and when Cardinal Sodano elects to retire as Dean or dies during his stint.