Pope Francis names first woman to head major Vatican dicastery

Sister Simona Brambilla will oversee Catholic religious orders worldwide.

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In a historic move, Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla, 59, as the first woman to head a major Vatican dicastery.

The Italian nun will take the helm of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, which oversees the world's Catholic religious orders.

The appointment, announced on Monday, marks a significant step in Pope Francis’ ongoing efforts to give women more prominent leadership roles within the Vatican.

 

 

 

 

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While women have previously been appointed to high-ranking positions, this is the first time a woman has led a Vatican department at the top level.

Sister Brambilla, a member of the Consolata Missionaries, takes on the role at a pivotal time in the Church’s evolution.

The Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is responsible for overseeing both male and female religious orders, including the 600,000 Catholic nuns and over 128,000 priests worldwide.

Her role will be crucial in guiding these religious communities, many of which are vital to the daily functioning of the Church.

This appointment is a direct result of the reforms introduced by Pope Francis in 2022, which allowed laypeople, including women, to take on the role of prefect of Vatican dicasteries.

Prior to these changes, such positions were exclusively reserved for cardinals and bishops.

While Sister Brambilla’s appointment is celebrated as a victory for gender inclusion, it is not without some controversy.

Alongside her appointment, Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime has been named as the pro-prefect, or co-leader, of the dicastery. The dual leadership has raised concerns among some critics, who argue that this could undermine Sister Brambilla’s authority.

Despite this, many have hailed the move as an important milestone in the Church’s journey towards greater gender equality. Anne-Marie Pelletier, a theologian, described the appointment as “something completely new” and a sign of progress within the Vatican.

Sister Brambilla, who holds a doctorate in psychology, was previously the superior of her religious order from 2011 to 2023. Before joining the Vatican’s leadership, she worked as a professional nurse and has extensive experience in religious life.

Pope Francis has long advocated for a greater role for women within the Catholic Church. Over the past decade, the percentage of women working at the Vatican has risen from 19.2% to 23.4%, and this latest move further cements the pope's commitment to reform.

However, some argue that while progress has been made, more changes are needed to ensure women are fully included in decision-making roles, especially when it comes to key theological and sacramental positions.