Cardinal Angelo Sodano, longtime Vatican power broker, dies
The news agency said the cardinal was hospitalized with pneumonia earlier this month, after testing positive for Covid-19. He had a period of poor health.
In a telegram to the cardinal’s sister on Saturday, Pope Francis expressed his condolences.
“I recall his diligent work along with so many of my predecessors, who entrusted him with important responsibilities in Vatican diplomacy, down to the sophisticated post of secretary of state,” Francis said. speak.
Sodano is a longtime Vatican presence, having served two popes as secretary of state and rector of the College of Cardinals. He remains influential even in retirement.
He was constantly under pressure throughout the following years for downplaying charges of sexual abuse or preventing investigations into the scandal.