In a significant move toward inclusivity within the Catholic Church, Pope Francis appointed Sister Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, as the first woman to lead a major office within the Vatican. This groundbreaking decision places her in charge of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the body overseeing all religious orders in the Church. This appointment signifies a notable advancement in Francis’ efforts to integrate more women into leadership roles, as no woman has previously served as prefect of any dicastery within the Holy See Curia, the church’s primary governing structure.
The Vatican Media acknowledged the significance of Sister Brambilla’s appointment, announcing that she is now the first female prefect in its history. The Dicastery oversees all Catholic religious orders, including the Jesuits, Franciscans, and various women’s congregations, thus placing her in a position where she will guide the affairs of approximately 600,000 Catholic nuns and 129,000 priests affiliated with religious orders globally.
Thomas Groome, a prominent theology professor from Boston College and a long-time advocate for women’s roles in church leadership, expressed his approval, stating that it “should have been” done long ago. He described this appointment as a small but significant step toward progress, symbolizing a change and a broader horizon for potential opportunities for women within the church hierarchy.
Groome also pointed out that there is nothing theologically barring Pope Francis from naming Sister Brambilla a cardinal, given that cardinals do not need to be ordained priests. He noted that had Sister Brambilla been a man, the assumption would be that her position would naturally lead to cardinal status.
In what reflects the unusual nature of this appointment, Pope Francis also named Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime as a co-prefect alongside Brambilla. While this move may indicate the Pope’s caution in granting full leadership to a woman, Brambilla is still recognized as the primary prefect in official announcements. The need for a male co-leader may stem from the requirement for the prefect to perform sacramental duties that are traditionally restricted to men.
Upon learning about the dual leadership, Natalia Imperatori-Lee, the chair of the religion and philosophy department at Manhattan University, expressed her initial excitement but later disappointment at the appointment of a male co-prefect. She articulated a hope for a future in which the church will recognize women’s capabilities as leaders. Imperatori-Lee emphasized that it is unreasonable to assume that Brambilla needs assistance in leading a department, especially one that has historically been run by male leaders.
Sister Simona Brambilla, who is 59 years old, belongs to the Consolata Missionaries religious order and has held the position of deputy in the religious orders department since 2023. She succeeds Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, who is retiring. The Pope’s 2022 modification to the constitution of the Holy See facilitated Brambilla’s appointment, allowing laypeople (including women) to lead dicasteries.
Before stepping into her new role, Brambilla worked as a missionary in Mozambique and served her order as superior for over a decade. One of the most pressing challenges she will face is the continual decline in the number of nuns, which has decreased by approximately 10,000 annually, falling from around 750,000 in 2010 to 600,000 last year, as per Vatican records.
Sister Brambilla’s appointment is the latest indication of Pope Francis’ intention to illustrate by example how women can hold influential roles within the Catholic Church’s structure, despite the ongoing prohibition on women serving as priests. Catholic women have long expressed frustrations over their perceived secondary status within an institution that restricts the priesthood to men.
While Pope Francis has maintained the ban on women priests and has tempered expectations surrounding female deacons, the representation of women in the Vatican has seen a notable increase during his papacy. Statistics show that the percentage of women working in the Vatican has risen from 19.3% in 2013 to 23.4% today, with women now comprising 26% of the Curia.
Some prominent women in significant Vatican roles include Sister Raffaella Petrini, the first female secretary general of Vatican City, who oversees the healthcare system, police force, and Vatican Museums, which are also led by a woman, Barbara Jatta. Sister Alessandra Smerilli serves as the second-in-command in the Vatican development office, and other women are filling under-secretary roles within various departments, including Sister Nathalie Becquart in the synod of bishops’ office.
