(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone officially stepped down on Tuesday as the
Vatican Secretary of State to be succeeded by Archbishop Pietro Parolin. In a short
ceremony, held in the library of the Secretariat of State, Pope Francis acknowledged
Cardinal Bertone’s contribution to the running of the Holy See.
Archbishop
Parolin was not present at the ceremony though he had been expected to take office
today. The Pope said the archbishop will take up his new position in the next few
weeks since he is currently recovering from surgery.
However, the Pope noted,
despite this temporary absence, the Italian archbishop has worked for the Secretariat
of State for many years with passion, great skill and a capacity for dialogue with
a human touch.