 Bonifacio ed Alessio" on 28 June 1988.Cardinal Moreira Neves once again left Brazil for Rome to take up the position as Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops to which he was appointed on 25 June 1998, when he was also elevated to the rank of Cardinal Bishop of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto.He resigned his position as Prefect on 16 September 2000 as a result of his failing health.