• Submitted by: manso
• International
• 04 / 30 / 2011

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The Roman Catholic nuncio to Cuba, Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu, is in line to become the Vatican's Deputy Secretary of State, the Italian newspaper La Stampa reported Friday.

The appointment would be made official in May, the newspaper said, without stating who will replace Becciu in Havana.

The Deputy Secretary of State "is crucial to the running of any papacy," says the Catholic News Agency. "His role includes filling the posting of nuncios around the world, making curial appointments in Rome, as well as advising and traveling with the Pope.

"In effect, he is the 'transmission belt of papal will,' says [La Stampa]. In the 20th Century, two occupants of the post went on to become Pope."

The Sicilian-born Becciu, who will be 63 in June, has been in the Vatican's diplomatic service since 1984 and in Cuba since July 2009.

Source: //miamiherald.typepad.com/cuban_colada/2011/04/nuncio-to-cuba-due-for-vatican-promotion.html#ixzz1KwIIMFNd