Pope Francis has appointed an Italian nun, Simona Brambilla as the first woman in history to lead a prominent office in the Vatican city. The Pope
Pope Francis has appointed an Italian nun, Simona Brambilla as the first woman in history to lead a prominent office in the Vatican city.
The Pope made selected the Italian nun as the prefect of the department in charge of overseeing the Catholic Church’s religious orders worldwide on Monday, January 6.
Theologian and author Anne-Marie Pelletier called the decision something entirely new and a clear indication of the growing opportunities for women within the Church.
She said, “It’s a really important moment.”
Brambilla, a member of the Consolata Missionary Sisters, brings extensive experience to her new position.
Originally from Italy, she previously served as the superior general of her order, with a focus on missionary work in underrepresented areas.
During her tenure, she worked to enhance the role of women in ministry and promote interfaith dialogue in communities where the Consolata missionaries are active.
As prefect, Brambilla will oversee thousands of religious orders around the globe, tackling a range of issues from governance and spirituality to finances and discipline.
She will also be instrumental in fostering collaboration between male and female religious communities, a key priority for Pope Francis’s papacy.
This appointment is part of the pope’s broader efforts to enhance women’s involvement in church leadership.
In recent years, he has appointed women to prominent roles within the Vatican, such as undersecretaries and consultants.
However, Brambilla’s new role is historic, as she becomes the first woman to lead a dicastery, a top-level department within the Vatican’s hierarchy.
Her appointment is regarded as a significant milestone for the Catholic Church as it continues to address ongoing discussions about women’s roles in leadership.
