Giovanni Battista Re: One of the most influential cardinals turns 90

When Benedict XVI was laid to rest on 5 January 2023, it was Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re who blessed the coffin of the deceased and celebrated Mass at the altar of St Peter's Basilica. As the longest-serving of the most senior cardinals, Re is Dean of the College of Cardinals. He turns 90 on Tuesday.

The cardinal dean has a prominent role in the so-called sedis vacante, the phase of several weeks between two pontificates. After the death or abdication of the Pope, he invites cardinals from all over the world to the conclave in Rome. He presides over the important "general congregations" during the pre-conclave period, during which the most promising candidates for the papal office profile themselves. And it is also he who delivers the last major sermon at the solemn service in St Peter's Basilica immediately before the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel. However, Cardinal Re will not enter the conclave; he is already ten years too old for that. But he will be pulling many strings in the weeks leading up to it.

Former Vatican diplomat has worked in the Curia for 53 years

The role of the man from Borno near Lake Garda is also important in the current pontificate. In an interview, Pope Francis described Re, who is three years older than him, as someone who openly disagrees with him on some issues, but whose advice and opinion he nevertheless values. There are not many cardinals among the Argentinian pope with this special status of papal esteem.

Res's authority stems from his affable manner and a very determined and efficient approach to issues and conflicts. The former Vatican diplomat has worked in the centre of power of the Vatican Curia for 53 years and has survived four popes to date. He has worked in two of the most important Vatican authorities in different roles: in the office of the "Substitute" in the Secretariat of State and in the authority responsible for bishop appointments worldwide. He held the office of Substitute, i.e. the "number three" in the Vatican, from 1989 to 2000; in the following ten years he was head of the Bishops' Authority.

As a 79-year-old, Re presided over the conclave in March 2013, at which the cardinals elected the Argentinian Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope. The role of moderator would actually have fallen to the cardinal dean, but his name at the time was Angelo Sodano and he had long since passed the age limit of 80.

From the era of Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Re is one of the few survivors who continue to wield power and influence. When the Pope addresses the heads of the Roman Curia with a keynote speech shortly before Christmas each year, it is Cardinal Re who greets the Pope with a short speech beforehand. On 21 December 2023, Francis commented on Cardinal Re's energetic speech with the words: "I would like to thank Cardinal Re for his words, and also for his energy. A 90-year-old with this energy! Keep up the good work!"

Cardinal Re is said to have prevented Wilmer from becoming Prefect of the Faith

But Re's role is not limited to the ceremonial. His word as the Pope's longest-serving counsellor apparently still carries weight today, even in personnel decisions. According to an unconfirmed Italian newspaper report, it was Cardinal Re who prevented German Bishop Heiner Wilmer from becoming the Pope's new chief dogmatist when the Vatican was preparing a change of personnel at the head of the authority for the doctrine of the faith a year ago. Instead, Francis decided in favour of his compatriot Victor Fernandez, who has made headlines ever since.

For a good three years, the seemingly resilient Re has repeatedly stood in for the ailing Pope at the altar during celebrations. What role the cardinal dean will play before a future conclave depends above all on how his own state of health develops.