Pope Benedict reinstates top Roman Curia members

Vatican City, Apr 20, 2005 / 22:00 pm

As one of his first acts as Pope, the newly elected Benedict XVI has reinstated many of the top officials of the Roman Curia.

According to the Vatican, the new Pope re-appointed Cardinal Angelo Sodano, titular of the suburbicarian church of Albano, as secretary of State. He also confirmed Archbishop Leonardo Sandri as substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, and Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo as secretary for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State.

Pope Benedict also re-confirmed the current secretaries of dicasteries of the Roman Curia for their current five-year terms, the cardinals and archbishops who head dicasteries of the Roman Curia, and the president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.

The Vatican noted this morning that the appointments were made “donec aliter provideatur,” meaning, “until the pope makes other arrangements.”

Following the death of a Pope, all top members of the Curia are relieved of their offices until a new Pope appoints his own.

While Pope John Paul II appointed all of the posts re-instated today, it is expected that the new Pope will gradually replace some with officials of his own choosing.