The College of Cardinals has lost another member, Achille Silvestrini. He died in Rome and was 95 years old.
He had a long diplomatic career and helped prepare some delicate papal trips such as Nicaragua and El Salvador in 1983, as well as Poland in 1987. He also went to Argentina because of the Falklands War in 1982.
Achille Silvestrini was elected cardinal in 1988 by John Paul II. Three years later he was appointed prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches. He was the head of this dicastery for nine years, until 2000, when he resigned because of age limit.
After his death, 215 cardinals remain, 118 of whom are able to vote in an eventual conclave.
