And so it begins: Pope Francis, following through on discussions which were held before his election to the papacy, sets out to reorganize the Roman Curia.

According to a communiqué issued this morning by the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, the Holy Father has appointed eight cardinals from around the world to lead the reform of the Roman Curia. The plan to review Church government was proposed during the General Congregations which preceded last month’s Conclave; and the group will study Pope John Paul II’s 1998 Apostolic Constitution “Pastor Bonus”, which recommended that representatives of all the faithful have a role in the Roman Curia.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, the only American cardinal on the eight-person advisory panel, is currently on pilgrimage in the Holy Land with ten of his priests, and has not yet commented on the appointment.

Following is the statement released today by the Vatican Information Service.