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Catholic World News News Feature

Papal legate named for Assisi basilicas February 21, 2006

Pope Benedict XVI has named Cardinal Attilio Nicora as the papal legate to the basilicas of Assisi.

Cardinal Nicora, who is currently serving as president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, will fill the post created by the Pontiff in the new norms that he established for the basilicas in November 2005. The cardinal will supervise the function of the basilicas of St. Francis and St. Mary of the Angels, which are administered by the Franciscan order.

In his motu proprio last November, Pope Benedict said that a "cardinal legate" would be chosen to ensure strong ties between the Franciscan basilicas and the Holy See. The Pope's new norms for the famous Assisi shrines were seen as a bid to exercise greater control over the Franciscan administration, which has not always been viewed with favor in Rome. Pope John Paul II had taken similar steps in 1984 to rein in the Capuchin administration of San Govanni Rotondo, the monastery made famous by Padre Pio.

As the papal legate to the basilicas, Cardinal Nicora will coordinate his work with that of the diocesan bishop. Pope Benedict named Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino to head the Assis, in an appontment that also came last November. Archbishop Sorrentino had previously been secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship.