Vatican's U.S. envoy, who helped shape U.S. church, dies

(RNS) The Vatican's highest-ranking official in the United States,
Archbishop Pietro Sambi, died Wednesday (July 27) night at Johns Hopkins
Medical Center in Baltimore, succumbing to complications from lung
surgery performed a few weeks earlier.

Sambi, who was 73, spent five years representing the Holy See's
interests in Washington, helping Pope Benedict XVI reshape the American
hierarchy through key appointments.

Choosing Sambi's replacement could be one of the most important
decisions Benedict will make. The apostolic nuncio -- in effect the
Vatican ambassador to Washington -- plays a central role in advising the
pope on naming new bishops.