RNS-BURKE-PROFILE a

Cardinal Raymond Burke, an influential American conservative who has worked in the Roman Curia since 2008, lost one key post on Monday when he was left off the Vatican body that vets bishops for the pope to appoint. RNS photo by David Gibson

Cardinal Raymond Burke isn't shy about speaking his mind, but the former archbishop of St. Louis has quietly become an influential player in Rome since Pope Benedict XVI named him the Vatican's top legal authority.

RNS-BURKE-PROFILE a

Cardinal Raymond Burke isn't shy about speaking his mind, but the former archbishop of St. Louis has quietly become an influential player in Rome since Pope Benedict XVI named him the Vatican's top legal authority.