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ROME, April 7 - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who will say the funeral Mass for Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square on Friday, was one of his closest collaborators and for now has become perhaps the leading force in the Roman Catholic Church.

Executive branch: chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978) head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 December 1990) cabinet: Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope election results: Karol WOJTYLA elected pope