Pope extends terms of dean, subdean of College of Cardinals

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis has extended the terms of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as dean of the College of Cardinals and Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as subdean, the Vatican press office announced.

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. Both were eligible to be elected to a second five-year term.

The Vatican press office Feb. 6 announced that in early January Pope Francis had "extended the approval he granted to the election" of both cardinals in 2020. The press office did not say if the extension was for a fixed term or if a date had been set for an election.

Pope Francis also raised U.S.-born Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, to the rank of "cardinal bishop," a largely ceremonial leadership role within the College of Cardinals.

The most important task of the dozen cardinal bishops is to elect the dean of the College of Cardinals from among their membership.

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. But if the pope dies, it is still the dean's task to inform heads of state and diplomats accredited to the Holy See.

The "senior" cardinal bishop under the age of 80 would preside over the actual election of a new pope in the Sistine Chapel. As of Feb. 6 that position is held by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the 70-year-old Vatican secretary of state.