Pope Francis names new secretary of state
By Babatunde Ojetola
In an effort to change things in the Vatican which has been engulfed with scandals, Pope Francis has named a veteran 
diplomat, Pietro Parolin as the secretary of state. The secretary of state heads the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Catholic Church, and is the Pope’s chief adviser.
Archbishop Pietro Parolin’s appointment ends the tenure of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who was widely blamed for failing to avert the ethical and financial scandals that marked the eight-year reign of Pope Benedict, who resigned in February, 2013.
The Vatileaks scandals erupted in 2012, when former Pope Benedict’s butler, Paolo Gabriele, published confidential documents from Vatican offices alleging widespread corruption and mismanagement
Parolin, the 58year old Italian who like Francis is known for his careful lifestyle, is currently the Vatican’s nuncio in Venezuela.
Pope Francis has also promised to stamp out abuses at the Vatican bank – officially known as the Institute for Religious Works.
The naming of a new secretary of state, who acts as the pope’s prime minister and chief aide, is the most significant appointment by Francis since his election in March.
Although he has no power to rule on doctrinal issues, he stands in when the pope is ill. He sets the tone for the Vatican’s central administration, known as the Curia, and is involved in everything from finances and the appointment of bishops to diplomatic relations with more than 170 countries.
Parolin was the Vatican’s deputy foreign minister for seven years until 2009, and has also served in Nigeria and Mexico.