Gone for Good: Francis Spy Juan Cruz Villalón Left Rome for Argentina
In recent years, Rev. Villalón had become one of Francis' most trusted and influential aides.
Cardinal Bergoglio ordained Juan Villalón as a priest in Buenos Aires in 2011. That same year, he was sent to the Vatican to work within the Dicastery for the Clergy and later the Secretariat of State.
According to InfoVaticana.com, he became an influential figure in Vatican circles, particularly with regard to the Curia and the network of power surrounding the Secretariat of State.
IlTempo.it noted that Villalon's influence grew exponentially after Francis became pope, despite lacking any official position.
He reportedly had disagreements with members of Pope Francis's entourage due to his informal yet influential role in various decisions.
The relationship with Cardinal You Heung-sik, the prefect of the Dicastery for Clergy, became tense.
In 2023, Rev. Villalón was formally added to Pope Francis's private secretariat. He quickly became a key player during a sensitive period in Francis' declining health.
He notably accompanied Francis in a wheelchair through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on December 24, 2024.
More significantly, during the Pope’s hospitalization at the Gemelli Hospital, Rev. Villalón was one of the very few people with full access to Francis. He was said to have influenced how updates on Francis' condition were managed.
Over the years, Francis rotated several secretaries and aides, avoiding long-term appointments to prevent the accumulation of power around him.
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