Entertainment
Pope Leo thanks Cardinal Re for service as Dean of College of Cardinals
After receiving his resignation as Dean of the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV sends a letter to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, expressing his gratitude for all his years of service with the Holy See, and stresses that the Cardinal is “one of the best-known and most highly esteemed servants of the Holy See.”
By Kielce Gussie
Following Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re’s resignation as Dean of the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo XIV sent him a letter on Monday expressing his gratitude for the Cardinal’s service, which he “fulfilled so admirably for more than six years.”
The cardinal presided over a Holy Rosary prayer gathering in St. Peter’s Square for the health of Pope Francis (VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto)
The Pope highlighted how Cardinal Re’s role as Dean was “an edifying witness” to his “love for the Church and the Pope, for me (Pope Leo) and for all.”
Years of service
Cardinal Re began serving with the Holy See early in his life, working in the diplomatic service to Panama and Iran as the personal secretary to Archbishop Giovanni Benelli.
Pope Leo underlined that the Cardinal’s “many and sensitive positions” in the Roman Curia led him to become a “trusted collaborator of the Supreme Pontiffs, particularly of Saint John Paul II.”
In 1979, the Polish Pope named Cardinal Re as Assessor of the Secretariat of State. Eight years later, he was appointed Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops and titular Archbishop of Vescovìo. In 1989, Cardinal Re became the Substitute of the Secretariat of State, a post he held for 11 years.
During the Jubilee Year of 2000, Pope Leo highlighted the important role the Dean Emeritus held at Pope John Paul II’s side. He “effectively directed and coordinated the many offices placed at the service of his teaching and pastoral mission, accompanying him on a memorable series of Apostolic Journeys throughout Italy and the world.”
That same year, Pope John Paul II appointed the-then Bishop Re as Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and created him a Cardinal.
All of these roles and years of service, Pope Leo explained, allowed Cardinal Re to have a rich knowledge of the universal Church, deepened by personal relationships.
The Pope further stressed that the Dean Emeritus has been and remains “one of the best-known and most highly esteemed servants of the Holy See.”
“Strength from on high”
Pope Leo shared how the Cardinal’s strong faith and dedication in ministry tied together well with the industrious nature he developed from his family roots.
Yet, the Pope noted that the motto the Dean Emeritus chose for his episcopal election, “Virtus ex alto” (“Strength from on high”), “bears witness to how you have always known how to invoke and receive strength from the Lord and His grace.”
This, Pope Leo stressed, “further deepens the esteem and gratitude felt by those who know you.”
Cardinal Re presided over Easter Vigil Mass in 2025 (VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto)
The Pope concluded the letter by assuring Cardinal Re of his prayers, entrusted to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist, while also offering his Apostolic Blessing upon him and his loved ones.
Source link
