The Deputy Secretary General, Sergio Balanzino, took over his daily responsibilities for the last several months on his life and then became acting Secretary General upon his death until the appointment of Willy Claes.
Vicegeneralsekretæren Sergio Balanzino, overtog hans daglige ansvar for de sidste mange måneder af hans liv og blev derefter fungerende generalsekretær ved hans død indtil udnævnelsen af Willy Claes.