Pope Leo XIV Appoints First Laywoman to Lead Vatican Dicastery

In a historic move, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Maria Montserrat Alvarado as the first laywoman to lead a Vatican dicastery, naming her the head of the Dicastery for Communication. Alvarado, currently the president and chief operating officer of the Catholic television network EWTN News, will assume her new role on November 1.

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Although this nomination was unexpected, I accept it with a sincere desire to serve the Holy Father at the beginning of his pontificate.

This appointment is seen as a continuation of the reform and renewal efforts initiated by Pope Francis, which have increasingly involved lay individuals, including women, in significant leadership positions within the Church. The Dicastery for Communication oversees the Vatican's media institutions.

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I am grateful to Paolo Ruffini for his leadership in recent years and look forward to continuing, in a spirit of friendship and hope, the important work of strengthening the dicastery so that it can continue to serve the Church in Rome and around the world, conveying Christ's message to the world.

Alvarado, who hails from Mexico, expressed surprise at the nomination but affirmed her commitment to serving the Holy Father. "Although this nomination was unexpected, I accept it with a sincere desire to serve the Holy Father at the beginning of his pontificate," she stated in an interview with Vatican News. She also extended gratitude to her predecessor, Paolo Ruffini, for his leadership.

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The dicastery has the duty inscribed in its DNA to remain in constant contact with the rapidly changing world of communication. Our guiding star from the beginning has been – and remains – continuous action, passing the baton to successive individuals while continuing the race, and being present here and now.

Ruffini, who became the first lay prefect of a Roman Curia dicastery in 2018 under Pope Francis, will be succeeded by Alvarado. He acknowledged the rapidly changing media landscape and emphasized the dicastery's ongoing mission to adapt and communicate Christ's message effectively. Ruffini pledged his full cooperation with Alvarado during the transition period.

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We know each other well. We will work closely together in the spirit of unity that unites us in the Church.