Cardinal Angelo Sodano has died. The former Vatican Secretary of State was number two in the Papal States for years.
Cardinal Angelo Sodano (1927-2022) is dead. As confirmed by the Vatican, the former cardinal secretary of state died in Rome on Friday evening at the age of 94. According to Italian media reports, including “La Stampa”, the cardinal’s health has recently deteriorated after a recent illness with Covid 19.
Vatican number two
From 1991 to 2006 he was Cardinal Secretary of State to Popes John Paul II (1920-2005) and Benedict XVI. (95). As such, he was the Vatican’s chief diplomat and was considered number two in the Papal States. In addition, Sodano was Cardinal Dean from 2005 to 2019, i.e. the chairman of the College of Cardinals. Pope Francis (85) described it in a letter as a “gift” for the church.
The funeral mass for Cardinal Angelo Sodano will take place on May 31 in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican announced. Both the College of Cardinals and Pope Francis will be present.
