Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, Australia will soon be named prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, according to Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli of Il Giornale. The report by Tornielli - who has accurately predicted several developments during this pontificate - matches rumors that have circulated in Rome for several months.
Tornielli adds that the formal announcement of Cardinal Pell's appointment will come before the summer months.
Major changes in the Roman Curia often come either just before or after the Pope makes the move to the apostolic palace at Castel Gandolfo for his summer stay there.
Cardinal Pell would replace Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who has been prefect of the Congregation for Bishops for 10 years and, at 76, is now well past retirement age.
The rumors that Cardinal Pell would be his replacement, which began last year, were rekindled last week when, after a private audience with Pope Benedict, Cardinal Pell met at length with Cardinal Re.
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