Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re has been elected the new dean of the College of Cardinals with Cardinal Leonardo Sandri as vice-dean.
Re, 85, will serve a five-year term under the new term limits created by Pope Francis in a motu proprio issued on December 21. Previously, cardinal dean, considered “first among equals,” was a position held for the duration of one’s life.
The dean of the College of Cardinals presides at the conclave for the election of the pope and represents the Holy See during the sede vacante.
