Church officials prepare for sweeping changes in Vatican

WITH the health of Pope John Paul II rapidly deteriorating, Church officials are bracing themselves for the dramatic changes that will come at the Vatican with the Pontiff’s death.

Top Vatican officials gathered around the Holy Father yesterday morning. The Pope reportedly met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Secretary of State; Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the vicar for the Rome diocese; and Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, the sostituto or deputy Secretary of State.

But it would be Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo who would come to the fore with the Pontiff’s death. The Spanish prelate, who is prefect of the Congregation for Religious, also holds the office of camerlengo: the key figure in the period of transition between Popes. He would certify the death of the Pontiff, in the presence of Monsignor Piero Marini, the master of pontifical ceremonies; and Monsignor Enrico Serafini, the notary for the papal household.