Historic first: Pope Francis appoints woman as prefect of Vatican dicastery

Historic first: Pope Francis appoints woman as prefect of Vatican dicastery

 

Gerard O’ConnellJanuary 06, 2025

Consolata Missionary Sister Simona Brambilla, secretary of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, speaks during a news conference at the Vatican March 14, 2024, about study groups authorized by Pope Francis to examine issues raised at the synod on synodality. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

In a groundbreaking decision, Pope Francis has appointed a woman for the first time as prefect of a Vatican dicastery. Today, Jan. 6, he appointed the Italian missionary nun, Simona Brambilla, M.C., 59, as prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Sister Brambilla is a member of the Consolata Missionaries religious order.