Cardinal Angelo Sodano, controversial Vatican power broker for more than a quarter of a century, dies at 94
![](https://m.economictimes.com/thumb/height-450,width-600,imgsize-45164,msid-91871683/angelo-sodano.jpg)
Synopsis
His death has been officially announced by the Vatican although the cause and location of his death have not been disclosed. He was secretary of state under two popes - John Paul II and Benedict XVI and held the position of second in command of the Vatican for nearly two decades, between 1990 and 2006.
In the wake of the controversy surrounding him, Sodano is accused of using the power he used in the Vatican Empire to close the investigation of sexually abusive clergy. His vision of the church following and communism made him put institutional protection above all else. Speaking to the public at Easter in 2010 he dismissed allegations of harassment, calling them "minor".
The current Pope Francis conveyed words of condolence to his sister Cardinal Sodano on Saturday in which he expressed his gratitude for Sodano's careful work in communications at the Vatican, calling him "a respected Churchman, who lived his priesthood generously."
Sodano was ambassador to the Vatican in Chile between 1977 and 1988.
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)