Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Power Broker, Has Died

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, 94, has died in Rome on May 27. Born in November 1927 in Isola d'Asti, Italy, he has been in poor health from various ailments and suffered a recent Covid19 infection.

He was appointed as Vatican Secretary of State by John Paul II in 1991. Benedict XVI accepted his resignation in 2006.

A skilled diplomat and mediator, he brought the papal diplomacy to an unsound importance. One of the key figures of John Paul II’s pontificate, he accompanied him on 54 international trips.

Sodano faced criticism for his handling of sex abuse cases. Twice he oppose Cardinal Ratzinger who wanted to punish Father Marcial Maciel, the founder of the Legion of Christ, for homosexual crimes. Vienna Cardinal Schönborn accused Sodano of covering up the investigation against Vienna Cardinal Groër (+2003) who was never put on trial although a dozen (mostly former) priests witnessed against him.

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