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

Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the first woman to lead a significant Vatican office, advancing women's leadership in the Catholic Church.

c 67%

r 33%

Pope Francis names the first woman to head a major Vatican office

NBC News

Pope Francis has named the first woman to head a major Vatican office

Associated Press

Pope Francis Has Named the First Woman to Head a Major Vatican Office

Newsmax

Subscribe to unlock this story

We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $5/month, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!

Get Started

Already subscribed? Sign in

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

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.

Content generated by AI—learn more or report issue.