Pope Francis Appoints Sister Simona Brambilla as First Female Prefect in Vatican History

Pope Francis has made a historic appointment, naming Sister Simona Brambilla as the first female prefect of a Vatican department. This move reflects Francis’ efforts to increase women’s roles in Church leadership, despite the continued ban on female priests. Brambilla, a nurse and member of the Consolata Missionaries, previously served as the No. 2 in her department and will co-lead with Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime. While heralded as a significant step, some women in the Church call for further reforms to address their status within the hierarchy.