Pope approves Sodano appointment
ROME, Italy (AP) -- The Vatican's No. 2 official, Angelo Sodano, is the new dean of the College of Cardinals, a powerful position that had been held by Pope Benedict XVI before his election to the pontificate.
The Vatican said Saturday that the pope had given approval to Sodano's appointment, which was made by the cardinals. Sodano already serves as the Vatican's secretary of state.
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.
When Pope John Paul II died April 2, it was Joseph Ratzinger, the current pontiff, who served as dean. He delivered the homily at John Paul's funeral as well as at a Mass at the opening of the conclave.
Cardinal Roger Etchegaray of France will serve as Sodano's deputy, the Vatican said.
Earlier this month, Benedict confirmed Sodano as secretary of state, a position that the Italian cardinal had been holding under John Paul.
El cardenal italiano Angelo Sodano, de 77 años, fue nombrado nuevo decano del colegio de los cardenales por el papa Benedicto XVI. Ejerciendo aún la función de secretario de Estado del papa, Sodano pasa a ejercer el cargo que fue ocupado por el actual papa desde 1990. El cardenal francés Roger Etchegaray fue nombrado como su vice.