Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis has paid tribute to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who, today, stepped down from his position as secretary of state for the Vatican.

In a farewell ceremony this morning, the Holy Father praised Cardinal Bertone for his personal contribution to the organisation and running of the Holy See.

The now 78-year-old Cardinal Bertone (above), a canon lawyer and theologian, was appointed to the position by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, and continued to serve Pope Francis since his March 13 election until today.

His successor as secretary of state, Archbishop Pietro Parolin, had previously been serving as the Vatican’s Apostolic nuncio to Venezuela, and was named as the new secretary by Pope Francis on August 31.

“Thinking about his long service to the Church, the teaching as well as the ministry of diocesan bishops and also his work as secretary of state, I can see that the driving force is that of a priestly Salesian vocation that has affected him since childhood,” Pope Francis said of Cardinal Bertone.

”This vocation has led him to fulfill all the duties, which he received with a deep love for the Church, great generosity and with that typical Salesian mix that united a sincere spirit of obedience to a great freedom of initiative and personal ingenuity.”

Although Archbishop Parolin was expected to take office today, he was not present at the ceremony.

Pope Francis stated that ‘Mgr Parolin will take up his new post within the next few weeks,’ the reason being that he is recovering from ‘a small surgery that he has had to undergo.’