Genoa cardinal appointed as Vatican No. 2

Genoa cardinal appointed as Vatican No. 2

The Vatican said Benedict accepted the resignation of Cardinal Angelo Sodano, an Italian who has held the post of secretary of state for 15 years, who at 78 is three years past the normal Vatican retirement age. The announcement said Sodano would remain in the post until Sept. 15.

Bertone, 71, worked closely for years with Benedict when he headed the powerful Congregation for the Faith, the Vatican's doctrinal watchdog. Pope John Paul II appointed him archbishop of Genoa in 2002, according to the AP.