Sodano replaced by Bertone

It is official: the Holy Father has accepted the retirement of Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Holy See's Secretary of State, effective September 15. His replacement is Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Archbishop of Genoa. At an audience for Secretariat officials, the Holy Father will thank Cardinal Sodano for his long and generous service and present the new Secretary.

The Holy Father has also accepted the retirement of Cardinal Edmund Casimir Szoka as President of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State, effective September 15. His replacement is Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, currently Secretary of the Section for Relations with States at the Secretariat of State.