Sister Simona Brambilla Becomes First Woman to Head Major Vatican Office
In a historic move, Pope Francis appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the first woman to head one of the Vatican’s principal offices. The 59-year-old Italian nun will oversee the office responsible for guiding Catholic religious directives worldwide.
According to Reuters, Brambilla will lead the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, taking over from Brazilian Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, who has held the position since 2011.
Pope Francis has been advancing women into leadership roles within the Vatican since his papacy began 11 years ago. He has appointed several women to second-tier leadership positions across various departments, marking a significant shift in the traditionally male-dominated hierarchy of the Catholic Church.
Brambilla has been named “president” of the Congregation, an internationally recognized
sovereign entity that oversees the global Catholic Church. Vatican media highlighted the historic
nature of this appointment with headlines like “Sister Simona Brambilla is the first female
president in the Vatican.”
This appointment not only signifies a breakthrough for gender equality within the Church’s
leadership but also underscores Pope Francis’ commitment to reform and inclusivity in Vatican
governance.
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