Vatican City: Pope Francis has elected Cardinal Giovanni Batista Rea of Italian descent as the dean of the Cardinal. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, head of the Oriental delegation and Argentinean, will serve as the sub-dean. Cardinal Giovanni Batista has been appointed to the retirement of Cardinal Angelo Sodano. The announcement was made at the Vatican on 25 January.
In the event of the death of any Pope, the Dean has the duty of informing the Heads of State and diplomatic representatives of various countries. He also presides over the meetings of the Cardinal before the Conclave. Giovanni Battista Rae, who turns eighty-six on January 30, has been in charge of the sub-dean since June 2017. He has also held the charge of bishopric.
But because he is over 80 years old, the appointed Dean cannot vote in the next Conclave. Seventy-six-year-old Leonardo Sandri will preside over the next Pope’s election at Sistine Chapel in the next Conclave. The Pope is usually chosen by the bishop’s cardinals, who hold the highest position in the Catholic Church. Pope Francis has recently been reduced to five years as dean.
