Giovanni Battista Re and the Quality of Servanthood
At 92, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re steps down as dean of the College of Cardinals. For more than 55 years in the Vatican, he did one thing above all: prepare the way for others.
On 9 October 2026, the Vatican announced that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle is the new dean of the College of Cardinals. Pope Leo XIV had confirmed the election and accepted the resignation of the previous dean, Giovanni Battista Re. The Italian from the diocese of Brescia is 92 years old and had led the College since 2020. According to the news agency Kathpress, he worked in the Roman Curia for more than 55 years. His path shows what serving means in a leadership role. An example of the quality of servanthood.
A golden line runs beneath a row of white dots and supports each of them; only at the very end does it rise and pass the light on – like Giovanni Battista Re, who prepared the way for others from the second row for decades.
01
Decades in the second row
Situation
Giovanni Battista Re is a trained Vatican diplomat. From 1989 to 2000 he was Substitute in the Secretariat of State, according to Kathpress the Vatican’s “number three”. He then headed the office that prepares the appointment of bishops for ten years. In both roles he prepared the decisions of others.
Link to the quality
Serving depends not on position but on attitude. Those who support others and make their decisions better are already leading. Many organisations live on people who do exactly that reliably over a long time.
02
Stepping in when needed
Situation
In March 2013, at the age of 79, Giovanni Battista Re presided over the conclave that elected Pope Francis. He was not dean at the time. The dean then, Angelo Sodano, was too old to take part at 85.
Link to the quality
Those who serve do not ask about the title first. They take on the task that needs doing right now. Leaders recognise such people by the fact that they fill gaps without deriving a claim from it.
03
Preparing without deciding oneself
Situation
After the death of Pope Francis, Giovanni Battista Re celebrated the funeral Mass in St Peter’s Square on 26 April 2025. He invited the cardinals to Rome and led the general congregations before the conclave. On 6 May 2025 he gave the last homily before the election. Because of his age, he did not take part in the vote itself.
Link to the quality
Servant leadership creates the framework in which others can decide well. That requires the willingness not to enter the deciding room oneself. Those who prepare a process carefully often shape the result more than some who vote.
04
Disagreement as a service
Situation
Kathpress describes Giovanni Battista Re as an affable, goal-oriented cleric. As an adviser to Pope Francis, he was said to be one of the few who could openly disagree with the Pope on contentious issues without fearing disadvantages.
Link to the quality
Serving is not agreement at any price. Those who honestly tell their leaders what they see serve them more than someone who stays silent. This freedom grows out of reliability over many years.
05
Making room
Situation
Giovanni Battista Re offered his resignation. The cardinal bishops elected Luis Antonio Tagle, 69, and according to a US report Pope Leo XIV confirmed the election on 8 October. Re remains dean emeritus.
Link to the quality
Serving includes handing on the office in good time. An orderly handover protects the task from one’s own person. It is the last service someone can render to their office.
Key takeaways
Key lessons
01
Lead even when your name is not at the front.
02
Take on the task that is needed right now.
03
Prepare decisions so that others can decide well.
04
Disagree openly when it serves the cause.
05
Hand over your role before others have to wait for it.
Summary
Giovanni Battista Re worked for five popes and helped prepare two papal elections. He led, stepped in and advised without being the centre of attention himself. At 92, he has placed his office in younger hands. His example shows serving as a form of leadership that takes its measure from the task, not from one’s own rank.
