The Dean of the College of Cardinals: Role, Responsibilities, and Recent Developments
The dean of the College of Cardinals (Latin: Decanus Collegii Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalium) holds a significant position within the Roman Catholic Church. Serving as primus inter pares ("first among equals"), the dean presides over the College of Cardinals. This article explores the role, responsibilities, and recent developments surrounding this important office. The position was created in the early 12th century.
Historical Context and Evolution of the Dean's Role
The role of the dean has evolved over time. For centuries, the cardinal bishop with the longest tenure as bishop of a suburbicarian see was designated as the dean. The dean summons the conclave for the purposes of electing a new pope following a death or resignation.
Responsibilities of the Dean
The dean of the College of Cardinals has several key responsibilities:
- Presiding over the College of Cardinals: The dean presides over the College of Cardinals, guiding its meetings and discussions. According to Canon 352 of the Code of Canon Law, the dean presides over the College of Cardinals; if he is impeded, the assistant dean takes his place. Neither the dean nor the assistant dean possesses any power of governance over the other cardinals but is considered as first among equals.
- Convening and Presiding over General Congregations: As JOHN L. notes, the dean presides over the General Congregation meetings, which are daily meetings of all cardinals in Rome before a consistory.
- Overseeing the Conclave: He summons the conclave to elect a new pope after the death or resignation of the previous one. The Dean presides over the daily meetings of the College of Cardinals in advance of the conclave and then presides over the conclave unless his age prohibits his participation.
- Communicating News of the Pope's Death: The dean is responsible for informing the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See and the heads of respective nations about the death of the Pope.
- Public Representation: The dean serves as the public face of the Holy See during the sede vacante period, the time between popes, until a new pope is elected.
- Acceptance and Naming of the New Pope: If the dean participates in the conclave, he asks the pope-elect if he accepts the election and what name he wishes to use. If the dean himself is elected pope, these tasks are assumed by the sub-dean of the College of Cardinals.
Election and Term
The dean is elected from among the cardinal bishops who are not Eastern Catholic patriarchs, and the election is subject to papal confirmation. The assistant dean is elected in the same manner as that described in §2, with the dean himself presiding.
Pope Francis introduced a five-year term limit for the position of dean, which previously had no set limit.
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The Vice-Dean
The dean is assisted by a vice-dean, who is also elected by and from the cardinal bishops (excluding Eastern Catholic patriarchs) and confirmed by the Pope. The vice-dean assists the dean in his duties and assumes them in the dean's absence.
Current Leadership: Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re
Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, born on January 30, 1934, has had a long and distinguished career in the service of the Holy See. He entered the seminary at the end of World War II, in 1945, and was ordained priest for the diocese of Brescia in 1957.
A Career in the Vatican
Re’s career in the Vatican began in 1963 when he joined the Roman Curia. He served as personal secretary to Archbishop Giovanni Benelli and held various diplomatic positions before being appointed as Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops in 1987. In 1989, he became the Substitute for General Affairs of the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, a key position responsible for the day-to-day running of the Holy See. In 2000 Pope John Paul II named him to the influential role of prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He was elevated to the rank of cardinal in 2001.
Dean of the College of Cardinals
Cardinal Re was elected Dean of the College of Cardinals on January 18, 2020, with Pope Francis's approval. Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who turned 91 on January 30, will continue as dean of the College of Cardinals, despite having reached the end of his five-year term. The Holy See Press Office announced this extension on February 6, 2025, formalizing a decision taken on January 7.
Extension of Term
In early January 2025, Pope Francis extended the approval he granted to the election of both Cardinal Re and Cardinal Sandri in 2020. The five-year term of Cardinal Re, 91, had been set to end Jan. 18. And the term of Cardinal Sandri, 81, was to expire Jan. 24. This decision demonstrates the Pope's preference for stability and continuity within the College of Cardinals. The expiry of Cardinal Re's term had led some media to speculate that a younger figure might be appointed to succeed him, but the Pope preferred to keep in place this figure embodying continuity between pontificates.
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Continued Activity
Despite his age, Cardinal Re remains intellectually and physically active. Therefore, he’s able to continue occupying an important place at certain events, notably the funerals of cardinals resident in Rome, which he usually presides over. On January 5, 2023, he also presided over the Eucharistic Prayer at the altar during the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
He will also preside at the Pope's funeral if he dies in office. On April 8, 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger presided over the funeral of John Paul II as dean of the Sacred College, giving him a high profile in the run-up to the conclave which, 11 days later, would lead to his election as Pope under the name of Benedict XVI.
Above all, Cardinal Re could play a central role in the general congregations preceding any future conclave. For the conclave itself, however, the most senior of the cardinal-bishops still eligible to vote should assume the duties of the dean: to date, this is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.
The Current Vice-Dean: Cardinal Leonardo Sandri
On January 14, Argentine Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches, had his appointment as Vice-Dean of the Sacred College extended. The term of Cardinal Sandri, 81, was to expire Jan. 24.
Limitations on Participation in a Conclave
Because they are both over the age of 80, neither Cardinal Re nor Cardinal Sandri are eligible to enter a conclave to elect a new pope. The “senior” cardinal bishop under the age of 80 would preside over the actual election of a new pope in the Sistine Chapel.
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Influence and Role in the Church
This title, which is not necessarily given to the oldest cardinal, but to an experienced figure in the Roman Curia, corresponds to a form of presidency of the College of Cardinals. He should therefore play a central role in the general congregations preparing a possible future conclave.
Significant Events and Involvement
As a senior cardinal, Re has participated in several notable events, including the conclaves of 2005 and 2013.
Stance on Abortion
Until recently, the Dean served for life, allowing for long-term influence. Cardinal Re has taken a strong stance against abortion.
Involvement with Theodore McCarrick
As prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Re played a central role in Benedict XVI’s attempts to discipline former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, which came to light following Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò’s 2018 Testimony and in the later “McCarrick Report.” In 2006, Cardinal Re instructed the Vatican’s ambassador to the United States, Nuncio Pietro Sambi, to convey to McCarrick that he should maintain a lower profile and minimize travel for the good of the Church. The instruction was given orally at first, and then in writing in 2008.
It’s important to note that while these instructions were approved by Pope Benedict XVI, they did not carry the Pope’s explicit imprimatur. The McCarrick report clarified that the instructions were not based on a factual finding that McCarrick had actually committed misconduct, and they did not include a prohibition on public ministry.
Society of Saint Pius X
In 2009, Re was also involved in the decision to remove excommunications from bishops of the Society of Saint Pius X. He signed and issued the decree, but the decision to lift the excommunications came directly from Pope Benedict XVI.
China-Vatican Agreement
In 2020 as the newly appointed Dean, Cardinal Re sent a letter to all the cardinals claiming that the controversial China-Vatican agreement represented the views of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, and that Cardinal Joseph Zen was mistaken in his opposition. Cardinal Zen, a vocal critic of the Vatican’s approach to China, had previously written to his fellow cardinals in September 2019, expressing his concerns about the agreement. Zen responded to Re’s letter, challenging him to provide evidence of Benedict XVI’s approval of the agreement and questioning why it wasn’t signed earlier if that was the case.
Influence on Pope Francis
Cardinal Re has been a key adviser to Pope Francis in recent years, allegedly deterring the Pope from appointing a German bishop as head of the DDF in 2023. He is known for his affable manner and efficient approach to issues and conflicts.
The Camerlengo
The camerlengo is traditionally appointed by the Holy Father. JOHN L. notes that the camerlengo’s most important role is during a Vacant See, usually the period after a pontiff has died. JOHN L. emphasizes that “There are a few very basic responsibilities left for the camerlengo, but most of that has been parceled out. JOHN L. also mentions that “This office has now been vacant for several months, since the death of French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran.
Orders within the College of Cardinals
Within the College, there are three orders of cardinals: the episcopal order, the presbyteral, and the diaconal.
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