Pope names new head of Italian bishops

VATICAN CITY, Mar 7 (Reuters) Pope Benedict appointed Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco to the powerful post of president of the Italian Bishops Conference today, the Vatican said.

Bagnasco, 64, who will keep his post as archbishop of the northwestern city of Genoa, succeeds Cardinal Camillo Ruini, who has retired.

The president of the Italian bishops conference is the most powerful post in the Italian Church. He often has to direct policy on relations with Italy.

One of Bagnasco's main immediate tasks will be to deal with Italy's centre-left government over its controversial plans to give legal recognition to unwed couples, including gays.

The Italian Church strongly opposes the proposed bill and wants Catholic politicians to torpedo it.

In most countries, bishops elect the president of their conference. But the Pope has the privilege of appointing the Italian president because the Pontiff is also primate of Italy.

REUTERS SP KP2203