New Head of Italian Bishop's Conference this Wednesday?

That's what the Italian papers are saying...

From Papa Ratzinger Forum:

Today, the newspapers are reporting that the Pope may announce his nomination of Mons. Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genoa, as CEI head, on Wednesday, March 7, the same day Pope John Paul II appointed Ruini in 1991. Cardinal Ruini will remain as the pope's Vicar in Rome.

Ruini's term (his third 5-year term at CEI) was to have ended last year, but the Pope extended it 'until other provisions are made' after an ill-advised survey of Italian bishops carried out by the Apostolic Nuncio to Rome, reportedly at the orders of his boss, the then Secretary of State Cardinal Sodano.

Italy is the only country where the Pope, as Bishop of Rome, chooses the head of the national bishops conference. Everywhere else, the head is elected by the bishops.

Bagnasco succeeded Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone as Archbishop of Genoa when the latter became Secretary of State. Before that, he was the military chaplain for all Italy.