Pope begins Curia reform
2006-03-11 19:20
Rome - Pope Benedict XVI has taken the first steps in the long-expected reform of the Curia, the papal court that governs the Roman Catholic Church.
According to a Vatican Radio report on Saturday, one of the expected reforms is the merging of several pontifical councils.
The report also said the Council of Inter-religious Dialogue and the Council of Culture would be merged to strengthen the dialogue "of the creators of culture and exponents of the different religions".
Head of the new council is expected to be Cardinal Paul Poupard.
Expectations the Pope was planning major changes in Catholic Church leadership have been circulating the Vatican for months.
Vatican Radio reports the most important leadership question facing the Pope is the decision over the future head of Vatican's secretariat of state.
- SAPA