(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 02.08.2025).- Pope Francis has renewed the mandate of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as Dean of the College of Cardinals. The decision, announced by the Holy See Press Office, comes just weeks after the pontiff also extended the term of Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as Vice Dean.
These roles, akin to a presidency and vice presidency of the College of Cardinals, do not automatically go to the most senior members but are instead granted to figures with extensive experience in the Roman Curia. Their responsibilities become particularly significant in the lead-up to a papal conclave, as they oversee the general congregations where cardinals gather to discuss the state of the Church before electing a new pope.
A Role Reshaped by Pope Francis
Re, 91, has held the position since January 2020, following the resignation of Cardinal Angelo Sodano. His appointment was shaped by Pope Francis’ December 2019 motu proprio, which revised the Dean’s role from a lifetime appointment to a five-year renewable term.
Under canon law, the Dean holds no governing authority over fellow cardinals but is considered «primus inter pares»—first among equals. His election, conducted exclusively by cardinals holding the title of a suburban Roman church, must be approved by the pope. The Vice Dean is chosen in a similar manner.
While speculation had circulated about a younger successor to Re, the pope’s decision suggests a desire for stability. Re’s longevity and active participation in Vatican affairs—he frequently presides over the funerals of cardinals and was a key figure in the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI—reinforce his continued influence in the Church. Should Pope Francis pass away while in office, Re would lead the funeral rites, mirroring the role played by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the funeral of John Paul II in 2005, an event that positioned him as a central figure in the subsequent conclave that elected him pope.
A New Appointment to the Order of Bishops
In another significant move, Pope Francis has promoted Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, to the rank of Cardinal-Bishop. He now holds the title of the Church of Albano, a historically significant suburban diocese of Rome, filling a vacancy left by the death of Cardinal Sodano in 2022.
This promotion places Prevost among an elite group within the College of Cardinals known as the Order of Bishops, which includes figures such as Cardinals Re, Sandri, Pietro Parolin, and Marc Ouellet. Members of this rank play a particularly important role in Church governance and in the lead-up to a conclave. Should a papal election be required, the most senior member of the group who is still eligible to vote—currently Cardinal Parolin—would preside over the conclave itself.
Stability in Uncertain Times
The renewal of Re’s term, along with Prevost’s elevation, signals that Pope Francis is shaping the leadership of the College of Cardinals with an eye toward both continuity and future governance. While many had anticipated a generational shift, the decision to extend the tenure of a 91-year-old cardinal suggests a calculated approach to maintaining institutional experience as the Church navigates an era of transition.
Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.
