Pope names Italian church historian to head Vatican newspaper

Published: 2007-10-01

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has chosen an Italian church historian, Giovanni Maria Vian, as the new director of the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano. Vian, 55, has taught patristic philology at the Rome university La Sapienza and has been a longtime contributor to the Italian Catholic newspaper Avvenire. He has specialized in studies on early Christianity and Judaism and on the contemporary papacy. He replaces Mario Agnes, who directed the newspaper for 23 years. The Vatican announced the appointment Sept. 29. Vian is the author of more than 80 specialist publications and academic commentaries. His book, "The Donation of Constantine," published in 2004, examines the relationship between the papacy and politics. The Vatican also announced the appointment of the newspaper's new vice director, Carlo Di Cicco. Di Cicco, 63, has been director of the Italian Catholic news agency ASCA. Accredited as a journalist at the Vatican since 1973, he is considered one of the most knowledgeable reporters on the Vatican beat.

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