Who could be Leo’s pick for Secretary of State, whenever it comes?
Pope Leo XIV may replace Cardinal Pietro Parolin as Secretary of State as early as summer 2026. Sources indicate Leo has reservations about Parolin’s effectiveness and is considering a new appointment. Leading candidates include Archbishop Paul Gallagher and Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, though a non‑traditional choice is possible. A change at the top could trigger downstream complications within the Secretariat of State.
2 months ago
Pope Leo XIV may replace Cardinal Pietro Parolin as Secretary of State as early as this summer, prompting speculation about who could succeed the 71‑year‑old diplomat and what the move would mean for the Vatican’s senior hierarchy. 1
Parolin has led the Secretariat of State since 2013, appointed by Pope Francis, and has faced criticism over the China‑Vatican agreement and the London property scandal. Sources say Leo has privately questioned Parolin’s effectiveness, suggesting a replacement could come soon. 1
Both candidates fit the traditional profile of Vatican diplomats, and their selection would signal Leo’s preference for continuity within the curial diplomatic corps.
Leo’s recent appointments (e.g., Montserrat Alvarado to the Dicastery for Communications, Bishop Anthony Randazzo to the Dicastery for Legislative Texts) show a willingness to bring outsiders into senior roles. Consequently, a non‑curial figure could also be considered for Secretary of State, though no specific name is mentioned. 1
If removed from the Secretariat, Parolin could be given a semi‑honorific post such as archpriest of one of Rome’s papal basilicas (e.g., Saint Paul Outside the Walls) or a minor dicastery. Rumors also suggest he might be considered for the archpriestate of Saint Peter’s Basilica, though this is contested by other sources. 1
Replacing the Secretary of State would create a cascade of appointments, affecting the roles of the sostituto, apostolic nuncios, and possibly prompting further reshuffles in the curia. A transitional choice like Gallagher would give Leo flexibility to later appoint a longer‑term successor, while a younger pick such as Nwachukwu could provide stability for a decade or more. 1*
Evaluate Catholic principles guiding the appointment of a Secretary of State
Catholic teaching presents the appointment of a Secretary of State (i.e., the head of the Secretariat of State) as an act flowing from the Pope’s supreme pastoral governance, exercised through the Roman Curia, and guided by criteria of integrity, competence, ecclesial communion, and prudent service to the Church’s universal mission.
Catholic law situates the Roman Curia—of which the Secretariat of State is part—under the ordinary means by which the Supreme Pontiff “usually conducts the affairs of the universal Church” and acts “in his name and by his authority for the good and service of the churches.”
This means the guiding principle for the Secretary of State’s appointment is not “election by a body” or a merely managerial process, but the direct responsibility of the Pope to choose a collaborator who will serve the Petrine ministry in concrete administration and governance.
Praedicate Evangelium describes the Curia’s overarching purpose as preserving the relationship between the Petrine ministry and the ministry of all bishops, and serving bishops in their responsibility as successors of the apostles.
Therefore, a Secretary of State should be evaluated primarily by whether he (or the cardinal holding the office) can translate the Pope’s pastoral solicitude into effective service—especially through coordination of the Secretariat’s internal functions and its external responsibilities to ecclesial and diplomatic needs.
Pastor Bonus explains that the Secretariat of State is presided over by the cardinal secretary of state and is composed of two sections:
This matters for “evaluation” because it implies that the appointment is not only about personal holiness or general administrative ability, but also about suitability for:
Praedicate Evangelium gives an explicit set of selection criteria for those who serve in the Roman Curia, including:
In evaluating a candidate for Secretary of State, this becomes a Catholic “scorecard” anchored in moral and spiritual credibility as well as professional competence—because the face of Christ is “reflected” in those disciples who place their charisms at the Church’s mission.
A recurring Catholic theme is that leadership in the Church must be shaped by prudence—understood not as mere cleverness, but as fidelity to truth, disciplined reason, and freedom from being governed by prejudices, desires, or passions.
This is directly relevant to evaluating a Secretary of State because the office requires:
When popes explicitly speak about why a person is appointed to the Secretariat of State, they name not only administrative competence but also human and pastoral gifts:
So, Catholic evaluation of a Secretary of State follows a pattern: the candidate must combine theological/disciplinary soundness with pastoral wisdom and mature human formation that supports communion and effective collaboration.
Although the sources provided are not a direct “job description” for the Secretary of State, Catholic tradition insists that bishops (and by analogy those entrusted with major ecclesial governance) must appoint “exemplary men” distinguished for:
It also warns against undue haste in sacred responsibilities: do not lay hands too hastily, and ensure lives and learning are such that promotion is truly safe and beneficial.
Applied to the Secretary of State, this supports a principle of serious discernment: because the office affects the Church’s universal government, selection should prioritize candidates whose life and competence are demonstrably credible, not merely politically or bureaucratically convenient.
Canon law establishes that cardinals who preside over dicasteries and other permanent institutes of the Roman Curia (and Vatican City) and who have completed 75 years of age must submit resignation, which the Pope then considers “after considering the circumstances.”
Given that the Secretariat of State is presided over by a cardinal secretary of state, this yields a practical evaluative principle: an appointment also implicitly considers age-related norms and continuity of leadership in the Curia.
Based on the provided sources, the appointment of a Secretary of State is guided by principles that can be summarized as:
Catholic principles guiding the appointment of a Secretary of State converge on one central idea: the office is a Papal instrument of universal service, so the candidate must be evaluated according to ecclesial communion, moral integrity, spiritual and pastoral credibility, doctrinal/canonical soundness, prudence in truth, and professional competence, all exercised under the Curia’s service-oriented purpose and the Church’s governance norms.