Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, the then Cardinal Protopriest, was ill and was not present in Rome during the days of the sede vacante. As the next Cardinal in the order of precedence, Sales therefore performed the duties of the Protopriest at that time. Cardinal Kim did manage to arrive for the installation of the new Roman Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, who was then Cardinal Protopriest, was unwell and absent from Rome during the sede vacante period. As the next cardinal in precedence, Sales carried out the duties of the Protopriest at that time. Despite his illness, Cardinal Kim managed to attend the installation of the new Roman Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI.