Summary
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn is no longer a member of the Cardinal Commission overseeing the Vatican Bank, known as IOR. He has been replaced by Cardinal Ángel Fernández Ártime from Spain, who was appointed to this position on January 21, 2025. Previously, Schönborn served as president of the Commission since May 2024. Before him, he was succeeded in the commission by Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig from Switzerland, who joined the group in January 2025. This transition signifies a return to traditional roles within IOR under Pope Francis. Currently, the Commission comprises five Cardinals appointed for five-year terms: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines (Pro-Prefect of Evangelization Section II), Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi from Italy (Emeritus Archbishop of L’Aquila), and Cardinal Konrad Krajewski from Poland (Prefect of the Section for the Service of Charity). Although Fernández Ártime has taken over as the new head, the identity of the next President is yet to be announced. The Commission’s role involves overseeing IOR’s compliance with guidelines and appointing its Prælatuses, a position currently held by Battista Mario Salvatore Ricca since 2013. The current chairperson of this lay oversight council is Jean-Baptiste Douville de Franssu from France, alongside Georg von Boes from Germany.
Key Topics
Papal audience, Bishop appointment, Kardinalskommission
