An Italian newspaper is reporting rumors that Cardinal Sodano and Cardinal Ratzinger are going to retire soon. (subscription required) These are just rumors, but they might not be so far off. It’s no secret that Cardinal Ratzinger asked the Pope to replace him as head of the Congregation for the Doctine of the Faith a couple of years ago, but that the Pope asked him to stay on.
Cardinal Sodano, as Secretary of State, is the second-highest ranking person in the administration of the Vatican. Basically everything at the Holy See runs under his authority under the Pope.
Both men have been in their positions for a long time. Sodano has been Secretary of State since 1991 and Ratzinger has been head of the CDF since 1981!
