Who is Archbishop Peña?
Pope Francis has finally named a new deputy for the powerful Vatican Secretariat of State. He had rendered the post vacant in late June when he gave a red hat to the former occupant, Angelo Becciu, and named him prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
The longer the post remained vacant, the hotter the speculation became that he was preparing to name a major player. Instead, the nomination of Archbishop Edgar Robinson Peña Parra (pictured below) to the post seems to be a safe play. Still, Archbishop Peña will be someone to watch. If he wasn’t an influential figure in the Vatican before last week, he is certain to be one now, even if he works quietly.
