Rorate Caeli

Sodano, stay till September!

The persistent rumors regarding the resignation of Cardinal Sodano as Secretary of State and the nomination of Cardinal Bertone as his replacement have been confirmed today. The Pope has, nevertheless, asked the current Secretary to remain in his position until September 15.

The Vatican "foreign minister" and Sodano's number two, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, has been named to replace Cardinal Szoka (also from September 15) as president of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State and chairman of the Governatorate of the Vatican City State, which means Lajolo's name will probably be included in the next consistory.