Pope Leo XIV has appointed an Italian nun, Sister Alessandra Smerilli, as the new head of one of the Vatican’s major departments, marking another significant step towards expanding women’s participation in the leadership of the Catholic Church.
Smerilli, a member of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, will head the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, a powerful Vatican ministry responsible for addressing issues including migration, poverty, environmental protection, healthcare, human dignity, justice and international development.
The appointment, announced by the Vatican on June 30, 2026, took effect on September 1, with Smerilli succeeding Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, who had led the department since 2022.
Before her elevation, Smerilli served as secretary of the dicastery, a position she assumed in 2021, becoming the first woman to occupy that office.
Her appointment represents Pope Leo’s continued commitment to strengthening women’s participation in the administrative and decision-making structures of the Vatican, following reforms introduced by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
To support the transition, Pope Leo also appointed Cardinal Fabio Baggio as pro-prefect of the department, with special responsibility for the Laudato Si’ Higher Education Centre, which promotes environmental education and sustainable development.
The Vatican’s decision reflects the growing recognition of the contributions women make to the Catholic Church, particularly in areas of social development, education, humanitarian assistance and pastoral administration.
Smerilli is an economist by training and has developed considerable experience in international development, social justice and the Church’s humanitarian activities.
Her new responsibilities will place her at the centre of the Vatican’s engagement with some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including forced migration, economic inequality, climate change, conflicts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
The appointment also comes against the background of growing discussions within the Catholic Church about granting women greater authority in an institution where priesthood remains reserved for men.
Although women have historically played important roles in religious communities, schools, hospitals and charitable organisations, their representation in the Church’s highest administrative positions has remained limited.
Pope Francis had previously broken a major institutional barrier in January 2025 by appointing Sister Simona Brambilla as the first woman to head a Vatican dicastery.
Pope Leo has continued that direction, also appointing Mexican-American media executive Maria Montserrat Alvarado to head the Dicastery for Communication, effective November 1, 2026.
Alvarado’s appointment makes her the first non-religious woman to lead a Vatican dicastery.
Together, these appointments signal a gradual transformation in the Vatican’s leadership structure, with women increasingly entrusted with responsibilities previously dominated by cardinals and senior male clergy.
For Pope Leo XIV, the challenge will be translating these historic appointments into broader institutional reforms that strengthen inclusion, accountability and the Church’s engagement with contemporary global challenges.
While the appointments do not alter the Catholic Church’s position on women’s ordination, they represent important developments in the recognition of women’s leadership and professional contributions within the institution.
