Pope Leo has made his first major appointment since becoming pontiff nearly five months ago, naming Italian Archbishop Filippo Iannone to head the powerful Vatican Dicastery for Bishops. The department plays a crucial role in advising the pope on the selection of bishops across the global Catholic Church, which numbers over 1.4 billion members.
Archbishop Iannone, 67, is considered a low-profile cleric with a long career in Church law and governance. A member of the Carmelite order, he previously oversaw the Vatican’s office responsible for interpreting and administering canon law. He has also served as a bishop in Lazio, the region surrounding Rome, while contributing to several other Vatican bodies.
The Dicastery for Bishops was formerly led by U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost, until his election in May as Pope Leo, succeeding Pope Francis. Observers note that Iannone’s appointment may reflect Leo’s preference for thoughtful, low-key figures, in contrast to his predecessor Francis, who was often known for high-profile and unexpected choices.
By appointing Iannone to this influential post, Pope Leo has signaled his leadership style and approach to shaping the Church’s hierarchy in the years ahead.
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