Pope Francis appoints first woman to lead a Vatican dicastery

DAVAO CITY – The Vatican on Monday announced that Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the head of a Vatican dicastery, marking the first time a woman has held such a position within the Roman Curia. This appointment underscores the Pope’s commitment to increasing women’s leadership roles in the Catholic Church.

Sister Brambilla, 59, a member of the Consolata Missionary Sisters and its former superior general, has been serving as secretary of the Vatican’s department for religious and consecrated life since October 2023. She was named prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on Monday.

She will share leadership with Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, who was appointed pro-prefect on January 6. The 64-year-old Spaniard, who concluded a decade as rector major of the Salesians last year, was named to the role as Church law requires an ordained bishop to carry out certain governing powers.

Trailblazer with a Rich Background

Before her appointment, Sister Brambilla brought a wealth of experience to the Church. A trained nurse, she worked as a missionary in Mozambique in the late 1990s before earning an advanced degree in psychology. She taught at the Pontifical Gregorian University’s Institute of Psychology and was head of the Consolata Missionary Sisters from 2011 to May 2023.

Brambilla is part of a growing list of women in prominent Vatican roles under Pope Francis, including:

• Franciscan Sister Raffaella Petrini, secretary-general of the Vatican City State’s governorate.
• Sister Alessandra Smerilli, secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
• Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops.
• Laywomen Gabriella Gambino and Linda Ghisoni, undersecretaries of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life.

Last month, Sister Brambilla was appointed to the 16th Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod, alongside Argentinian laywoman María Lía Zervino. They are the only women and non-bishops in the 17-member council.

In her new role, Sister Brambilla will oversee matters concerning religious life and apostolic societies alongside Cardinal Fernández. Two undersecretaries will support them, Father Aitor Jiménez Echave, CMF, and Sister Carmen Ros Nortes, NSC.

This historic appointment continues Pope Francis’ efforts to break barriers and amplify women’s voices within the Church, fostering inclusivity and leadership advancement.