Pope Francis confirms cardinal dean in office

Vatican City - His term of office had expired three weeks ago, but only now has the Vatican made the announcement: 91-year-old Giovanni Battista Re will remain Cardinal Dean. Another well-known curia cardinal is moving up.

Published on 06.02.2025 at 13:54 –

Curial Cardinal Giovani Battista Re (91) remains Dean of the College of Cardinals. Pope Francis had already confirmed his re-election on 7 January, the Vatican announced on Thursday. He also confirmed the re-election of Argentinian Curia Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as Sub-Dean. Francis had limited the term of office of the cardinal dean to five years in 2019. Res's term of office expired in mid-January, but nothing had yet been announced about his re-election.

The cardinal dean is the highest-ranking cardinal in the Catholic Church. In the event of the death or resignation of a pope, he summons the other cardinals to Rome and leads their first consultations. If the dean is younger than 80, he also presides over the conclave and the papal election. The dean and sub-dean are elected by the cardinal bishops; they have an honourable rank among the other 200 or so cardinals, but no other special rights.

Also on Thursday, the Vatican announced that Francis had elevated the US curial cardinal and head of the episcopal dicastery, Robert Prevost (69), to the rank of cardinal bishop. This means that this group now comprises 13 men. (KNA)