Very left-wing cardinal Vatican finally drops in reshuffle (7)

I believe the answer is:

radical

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'very left-wing' is the definition.
'radical' can be an answer for 'left-wing' (thesaurus). I am unsure of the 'very' bit.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for radical that I've seen before include "Sweeping - reformer" , "Going to the roots, fundamental as change may be" , "Deep-seated" , "Progressive - car dial (anag)" , "Fundamental - non-conformist" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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