Pope Leo pays tribute to Cardinal Re

October 13, 2026

Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re following the 92-year-old prelate’s resignation as dean of the College of Cardinals.

In a letter dated October 11 and made public the following day, Pope Leo recalled that “you became, through your numerous and sensitive positions within the Roman Curia, a trusted collaborator of the Supreme Pontiffs, in particular of Saint John Paul II, who appointed you first as Assessor of the Secretariat of State, then as Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops, and subsequently as Substitute of the Secretariat of State.”

“Beside the Pope during the Great Jubilee of 2000, you effectively directed and coordinated the many offices placed at the disposal of his magisterium and his pastoral mission, accompanying him on a memorable series of apostolic journeys throughout Italy and around the world,” Pope Leo continued. “At the beginning of the new millennium, the Holy Father appointed you head of the Congregation for Bishops and created you a Cardinal. This long journey has enabled you to acquire an extraordinary knowledge of the universal Church, enriched by a wealth of personal relationships.”

The Pope added:

I do not think I am mistaken in saying that you, Your Eminence, have been and remain one of the Holy See’s best-known and most highly esteemed servants. Your open, cordial and frank manner, together with your ability to tackle situations and problems with wisdom and practicality—always remaining faithful to the teachings of the Church and with great love for the Successor of Peter—have contributed greatly to this.

In your role as Dean of the College of Cardinals, your presence has been even more prominent, and many—among the People of God and beyond—have appreciated your priestly witness during the Eucharistic celebrations you presided over, most recently at the funeral of Pope Francis.

 

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Further information:

• Letter of His Holiness to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean Emeritus of the College of Cardinals (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 10/12/26)
• Letter of the Holy Father Leo XIV to Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean emeritus of the College of Cardinals (Holy See Press Office, 10/12/26)
• Pope Leo thanks Cardinal Re for service as Dean of College of Cardinals (Vatican News, 10/12/26)
• Cardinal Tagle elected Dean of College of Cardinals (CWN, 10/10/26)