Pope Francis made a historic move by appointing Sister Simona Brambilla as the first woman to lead a major Vatican department on Monday. Brambilla, 59, will head the Vatican’s Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. She will replace Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, who had led the office since 2011.
Pope Francis Appoints Vatican Leader
Throughout his 11-year papacy, Pope Francis has consistently elevated women to leadership roles within the Vatican. He has appointed women to second-in-command positions across various offices, but Brambilla’s appointment marks the first time a woman will lead one of the Holy See’s offices. The Holy See is the internationally recognized sovereign entity overseeing the global Catholic Church.
Leadership Roles and Responsibilities
Pope Francis named Brambilla “prefect” of the Vatican office. He also appoint Spanish Cardinal Angel Fernández Artime as “pro-prefect” of the department. The Vatican press office confirmed Brambilla’s leadership role but did not provide immediate details on how the two officials would divide their duties.
Pope Francis has previously appointed women to significant positions within the Vatican. These include second-in-command roles in the Vatican’s development office, family life office, and press office. In 2016, he appointed Barbara Jatta as the first woman to lead the Vatican Museums.
A Milestone for Gender Equality
This appointment is a significant milestone for gender equality within the Catholic Church. It reflects Pope Francis’s commitment to increasing women’s representation and leadership in the Vatican. Brambilla’s leadership is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
