Help wanted: The Holy See’s coming diplomatic vacancies

Germany’s long-serving apostolic nuncio turned 75 on Tuesday, reaching the age at which bishops are expected to tender their resignations to the pope. Archbishop Nikola Eterović celebrated his milestone birthday Jan. 20, days after a private audience with Pope Leo XIV. The Vatican disclosed no information about the Jan. 17 audience, other than that it took place. But it would be surprising if the topic of Eterović’s eventual successor did not come up. The pope is facing almost 20 other diplomatic vacancies he must soon fill. And then there are the various retiring heads of dicasteries and dioceses.