Pope Francis expressed his intention to take the necessary time to discern who will assume the pastoral government of the General Vicariate of Rome, which has been vacant since April 6, after having appointed Cardinal Angelo de Donatis as major penitentiary.
“Due to the delicate nature of the role of the cardinal vicar, Pope Francis has communicated to the bishops, his close collaborators, that he will take time to make a healthy discernment about the person who will play this role,” reads a statement released on April 8, after a meeting of the Holy Father with the Roman Episcopal Council in the Apostolic Palace.
“In this transition phase the Holy Father encouraged the bishops to continue the pastoral ministry and administrative activities already begun previously,” the message continues.
According to the provisions of Article 14 § 3 of the Apostolic Constitution In Ecclesiarum Communion on the organization of the Vicariate of Rome, while the office of Cardinal Vicar is vacant, all its functions and powers, including legal representation, will be exercised by the Vicegerent, Mons. Baldassare Reina.
The General Vicariate of Rome, under the guidance of the Cardinal Vicar, also known as the Pope’s Vicar for the Diocese of Rome, carries out essential work in the pastoral and ecclesial administration in the Eternal City.
This position, although closely linked to the Pope, should not be confused with the Pontiff himself, who, as Bishop of Rome and Vicar of Christ, has authority over the Catholic Church throughout the world. For his part, the Vicar of Rome acts as his delegate in the diocesan administration, charged with managing pastoral, liturgical and administrative matters on his behalf.
Cardinal De Donatis, until a few days ago Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome and archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint John Lateran, left the position of Vicar General vacant. His successor has not yet been announced, but it is expected that his appointment will be made soon, especially with a view to the Jubilee of 2025.