ROME — Pope Leo XIV has made his first big Vatican appointment. Leo named an Italian legal expert to replace him as head of the Holy See’s office that vets bishops nominations around the world.
Archbishop Filippo Iannone is currently the Holy See’s top legislator, as head of the Vatican’s legal office. His appointment, thus, creates another position Leo will have to fill.
The appointment, which also confirmed the two deputies at the bishops’ office, suggested that Leo knows well that the bishops office has a significant legal caseload. It evaluates complaints of abuse or negligence against bishops.