Has German pope re-Italianized the Roman Curia?

Published: 2007-09-28

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Is Pope Benedict XVI re-Italianizing the Roman Curia? The question has percolated around Rome in recent months as a string of Vatican appointments left Italian prelates in high places. The pontifical councils that deal with social communications, canon law and cultural issues -- until recently headed by an American, a Spaniard and a Frenchman -- are now in the hands of Italian bishops. So are the Vatican Library and Secret Archives. The Vatican City governor's office, which had been headed by U.S. Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka, reverted to an Italian for the first time in 26 years. An Italian Jesuit now directs the Vatican Press Office, taking over from a Spaniard. A number of important middle-management posts at the Vatican, particularly in diplomatic and financial areas, also have gone to Italians. Some suspect the Italian resurgence may reflect the influence of Italian Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's energetic secretary of state, who took office a year ago.

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