Pocono News Section

Papal Head of State in Pittston

Papal Head of State in Pittston - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 11:05PM EST

PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY- Angelo Cardinal Sodano, the dean of the College of Cardinals, came from Vatican City with a special blessing from Pope Benedict XVI for the people of Pittston and the Diocese of Scranton. The 81-year-old diplomat was invited by the local order of the Oblates of St. Joseph. The Italian-based order of priests is celebrating its 80th year in the United States.
Cardinal Sodano was the principal celebrant at a Sunday afternoon Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Pittston. Sodano has personal ties to the order and its home in Asti, Italy. Sodano, a prominent figure in the hierarchy of Vatican City, was secretary of state for 15 years under the late Pope John Paul II. The afternoon mass concluded Sodano's weekend trip to Northeast Pennsylvania.