In a groundbreaking move, Pope Francis announced on Monday that he has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, as the first woman to head a significant department within the Vatican. She will serve as the prefect of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, which oversees all religious orders within the Catholic Church. This historic appointment signifies a key development in Pope Francis’ ongoing effort to elevate the roles of women in church governance. While women have held secondary roles in various Vatican offices before, this is the first time a woman will take charge in such a prominent position within the Holy See Curia—the central body that manages the affairs of the Catholic Church.
Vatican Media emphasized the importance of this appointment, highlighting Brambilla as a pioneer in the position. The Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is tasked with managing a wide array of religious communities including the Jesuits, Franciscans, and various congregations of women, among others. In her new capacity, Brambilla will have oversight across the broad spectrum of around 600,000 Catholic nuns and 129,000 priests who are members of religious orders.
Thomas Groome, a prominent professor of theology at Boston College, praised this decision, stating that it was overdue. He expressed hope that this appointment might symbolize a significant shift towards greater inclusivity within the Church’s leadership structure. He pointed out that the theological framework currently allows for the possibility of Brambilla being named a cardinal, as this position does not require ordination.
However, in a move that indicates the complexity of this change, Pope Francis simultaneously appointed a male cardinal, Ángel Fernández Artime, as the “pro-prefect,” or co-leader of the office. This arrangement suggests that Francis feels traditional roles are still significant, as the head of the office would need to carry out certain sacramental responsibilities, typically reserved for men. Brambilla has been listed as the primary prefect in the Vatican’s official announcements, indicating Francis’ intention to highlight this new direction for women’s roles.
The initial excitement surrounding Brambilla’s appointment has been tempered by some in the academic community. Natalia Imperatori-Lee, a professor at Manhattan University, expressed concern that Brambilla’s leadership might not be granted full autonomy due to the need for a male co-prefect. She emphasized that women have proven their capability as leaders within the Church.
At 59, Brambilla brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She has previously worked in her religious order and served as the deputy in the religious orders department since 2023. Her work history includes serving as a missionary in Mozambique and leading her Consolata order until 2023. The decade-long declining trend in the number of nuns, which has dropped from approximately 750,000 in 2010 to about 600,000, presents a significant challenge for her new position.
This appointment reflects Pope Francis’ broader initiative to promote women within the Catholic hierarchy while maintaining the status quo regarding their ordination as priests. Despite the ongoing discourse about women’s roles in the Church, Francis continues to uphold the prohibition against female priests, even as he has fostered an increase in the participation of women at various levels within the Vatican. The proportion of women in Vatican jobs has risen from 19.3% in 2013 to 23.4% today, with women occupying about 26% of positions within the Curia.
Prominent women in the Vatican now include Sister Raffaella Petrini, who serves as the first female secretary general of the Vatican City State, and Sister Alessandra Smerilli, who holds a key position in the Vatican development office. With this latest development, it appears that the Vatican is slowly moving towards embracing female leadership while grappling with traditional structures, underscoring the ongoing shift within the Catholic Church.
