President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State
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The President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State is the leader of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, the legislative body of Vatican City. As a senior member of the Roman Curia, the president is normally a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.
During a sede vacante, the term of the president ends, as do most other offices in the Curia. However, the cardinal that held the office prior to the death or resignation of the pope becomes a member of a Commission, with the former Cardinal Secretary of State and the Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church, that handles some of the functions of the head of state until a new pope can be chosen.
Prior to the death of Pope John Paul II, the President was Edmund Cardinal Szoka, the Archbishop of Detroit Emeritus and current Governor of Vatican City. Pope Benedict XVI reappointed Cardinal Szoka to the position on April 21, 2005. On June 22, 2006, it was announced that Cardinal Szoka had resigned his position and would be replaced by Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, effective September 15, 2006.
[edit] List of Presidents
- Nicola Cardinal Canali, 1939-1961
- Alberto Cardinal di Jorio, 1961-1968
- Archbishop Paul Marcinkus, 1981-1990
- Sebastiano Cardinal Baggio, 1984-1990
- Rosalio Cardinal Castillo Lara, 1990-1997
- Edmund Cardinal Szoka, 2001-2006
- Giovanni Lajolo, 2006-present
