Pope approves Sodano appointment

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Saturday, April 30, 2005 Posted: 1221 GMT (2021 HKT)

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.

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/30/pope.sodano.ap/