Pope Francis Appoints First Female Leader of Major Vatican Department
- Interfaith
- January 6, 2025
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Pope Francis Appoints First Female Leader of Major Vatican Department
Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, as the first woman to head a significant office within the Vatican. Brambilla will assume the role of prefect for the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the department responsible for overseeing all Catholic religious orders, from large organizations like the Jesuits to smaller, newer communities.
This appointment is seen as a pivotal moment in Pope Francis’ efforts to create more leadership opportunities for women within the Catholic Church. While women have held prominent positions in some Vatican offices, none have ever been appointed to lead a dicastery, which is among the Church’s most influential bodies.
Brambilla’s appointment was confirmed by Vatican Media, which highlighted her as the first woman ever to hold the role of prefect. The Dicastery plays a vital role in shaping the direction of religious life within the Church, overseeing a wide range of orders and religious communities.
In a groundbreaking twist, Brambilla will work alongside a co-prefect, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, a Salesian. Although Brambilla holds the official title of prefect, her co-leader will assist with sacramental duties, as these roles must be performed by men under current Vatican practices.
A member of the Consolata Missionaries order, Brambilla has spent much of her career in missionary work, including a significant period in Mozambique. She also led her religious order as superior from 2011 until 2023, prior to becoming secretary of the Dicastery for Religious Orders.
The appointment follows reforms made by Pope Francis in 2022, which allowed laypeople and women to assume leadership of Vatican dicasteries. This move reflects the Pope’s ongoing commitment to promoting gender inclusivity within the Vatican, despite the Church’s continued restriction on women’s ordination to the priesthood. Women now make up more than 23% of Vatican employees, with several holding leadership roles across various departments.
