Camillo Ruini, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, has died at the age of 95. He served as a key liaison between the Vatican and the Italian state during the papacy of John Paul II, acting as the Pope’s representative in Italy and Vicar of Rome. Ruini was also a significant participant in the election of Pope Benedict XVI, functioning as a cardinal elector. Known as the “subtle cardinal,” he was a respected and influential figure within the Church, particularly among conservative elements of the global episcopate. His decades of service involved navigating complex relationships between religious and secular authorities. Ruini’s passing marks the end of an era in Vatican diplomacy and Italian-Vatican relations. He leaves behind a legacy of careful negotiation and a strong conservative influence within the Church.