New Vatican judge: Venerando Marano takes top position!

New Vatican judge: Venerando Marano takes top position!

Vatican City is in transition! The Holy See has settled the succession to the Vatican's highest court. Venerando Marano, previously vice president of the Vatican court, will be appointed new president from January 1, 2025. This decision follows the age-related retirement of Giuseppe Pignatone, who will end his term of office on December 31, 2024 after five years. Marano is not only recognized as a canon lawyer, but is also known as the head of the law faculty at the Roman University of Tor Vergata. He was also a judge in the financial trial of Angelo Becciù, who a year ago became the first cardinal to be convicted in a criminal case Kathpress reported.

New era for court organization

The judicial organization in the Vatican has a long history, dating back to 1929. There are currently three interconnected courts in the Palazzo del Tribunale in Piazza Santa Marta: the Court of Cassation, the Court of Appeal and the Court of the Vatican State, which will begin work under the direction of Marano. These courts make judgments on behalf of the Pope, who serves as head of state. The judicial reforms, most recently carried out in 2020, reflect the continuous change and adaptation of the legal structures in the Vatican, such as Wikimedia represents.

Pignatone's succession also raises questions about the future direction of the Court. Given the high-profile cases handled in the past, the international community is awaiting how Marano will wield his influence and what reforms he might introduce. The judiciary in the Vatican is under scrutiny not only within its own institution, but also globally, particularly with regard to its accountability and transparency.