Who is Giovanni Battista, the dean of the College of Cardinals that organizes the Conclave to elect the new Pope of Rome?

The death of Pope Francis has triggered a series of major events within the Catholic Church, including the organization of his funeral and the upcoming conclave to select his successor.

At the heart of these events is Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals, who has been appointed to lead both the funeral proceedings and the transition process. A towering figure within the Church, Re is known for his decades of experience and his close ties to the late pontiff.

The funeral of Francis

Born in Borno on January 30, 1934, Re entered the seminary at the age of 11 and has spent his life in service to the Church. His role in the funeral is essential, not only due to his seniority, but also because of his deep knowledge of ecclesiastical rites and tradition.

Francis, known for his austere and reform-minded leadership, introduced changes in November 2024 to the Vatican’s official funeral liturgy – the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis – in anticipation of his own ceremony.

Preparing for the conclave

In addition to presiding over the funeral, Re is also tasked with organizing the conclave that will elect the next pope – a process steeped in symbolism and tradition. It will begin after the Novemdiales, the nine-day mourning period marked by daily Masses for the soul of the deceased pope. In this case, it begins on May 7.

Re has already summoned the cardinals to Rome for the crucial gathering in which they will cast their votes. Although he will not take part in the conclave itself – only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote – many believe he could emerge as a “kingmaker” during the informal meetings where alliances and candidacies begin to take shape.

He remains one of the most prominent figures from the conclaves that elected both Joseph Ratzinger and Jorge Mario Bergoglio.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.