VATICAN CITY — In recent days, the nuns who manage the Vatican’s telephone lines have been receiving an influx of inquiries regarding Pope Francis’s health. With the pontiff continuing his hospital stay in Rome, many people want to extend their well-wishes or even speak with him directly.
According to Sister Anthony, who supervises the switchboard operations close to St. Peter’s Basilica, concerned callers feel like children waiting for news about a beloved father. “We tell them to pray for him,” she explained.
Unlike many institutions that employ automated voice systems, the Vatican has maintained a personal touch by staffing its central phone line with the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master. “The Vatican values a human voice,” emphasized Mother Micaela, the mother superior of the order.
The Pious Disciples are part of the Pauline orders, dedicated to spreading Christian teachings through media and communication. They took charge of the Vatican’s phone system in 1970, advised by their then-leader to be “a voice that conveys goodness and Christ himself through the wires.”
These dedicated sisters, often seen with headsets over their veils, answer calls from around the globe for 12 hours each day, with Vatican police taking over at night. Spanning diverse nationalities including Italy, the Philippines, and Poland, they primarily converse in Italian, English, and Spanish.
Many callers simply seek guidance on reaching the appropriate Vatican office, a service that relies on extensive directories and the sisters’ knowledge of Vatican procedures. Sister Anthony mentioned that those requesting financial assistance are redirected to the Vatican almoner’s office, which recently supported victims in Ukraine, Brazil, and Naples.
Amidst the inquiries, Sister Gabriella recently assisted a priest planning a Mass celebration for his jubilee pilgrimage. Given the upcoming Holy Year in 2025, expected to draw millions to Rome, such logistical queries are becoming more common.
However, not all calls fit neatly into predetermined categories—some require emotional support. Sister Simona, who has been with the switchboard for 15 years, noted that each call brings its own unique challenges.
Callers are often inspired by Pope Francis’s informal approach, asking to speak with him directly. “People of simple faith don’t understand that the pope cannot speak with everyone,” remarked Sister Gabriella. In times of distress, the sisters strive to offer solace, careful not to misrepresent themselves as official Vatican spokespeople.
Sister Anthony, who joined the Vatican last year from the Philippines, highlighted the deeply personal nature of such interactions, recalling a particularly touching call from a Muslim woman concerned about the pope’s wellbeing. Meanwhile, she acknowledged that some callers express anger toward the church, to which the sisters respond with respectful listening.
They find particular joy in providing a maternal element to their work, aligning with Pope Francis’s view of the church as a nurturing figure. “Being this feminine voice adds a layer of reliability,” Mother Micaela affirmed.
Currently, about 1,100 women, both religious and lay, are employed at the Vatican. With Pope Francis recently promoting women to higher positions, the sisters involved in answering calls express a sense of empowerment in their roles. “It’s a blessing to serve the universal church in this community with the pope,” Sister Anthony shared.
The sisters take pride not only in their contributions behind the scenes but also in the gradual increase of women’s roles in the Vatican. With more responsibilities being entrusted to women, they feel both recognized and motivated.
