Sister Alessandra Smerilli becomes the third woman to lead a Vatican dicastery, replacing retiring Cardinal Michael Czerny.
3:15 PM
Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli, an Italian economist, as prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, making her the third woman to head one of the Vatican's 16 dicasteries, or departments.
Smerilli, 51, will assume the position on September 1, replacing Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, who turns 80 on July 18 and will step down from the College of Cardinals' electoral body. She has served as secretary of the same dicastery since 2021, when she became the first woman to reach such a high position in Vatican hierarchy.
The dicastery, established in 2016 by Pope Francis, oversees social issues, migration, climate change, justice and peace, among other responsibilities. As prefect, Smerilli will lead the office responsible for migrants, the environment and development.
In the same announcement, Pope Leo promoted Cardinal Fabio Baggio to pro-prefect of the dicastery, with special responsibility for the Laudato sì Formation Centre. Baggio, previously under-secretary of the dicastery, will also begin his new role on September 1.
The Pope also made additional appointments on Tuesday. Monsignor Jozef Barlaš was named secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Monsignor Marco Mellino was appointed secretary of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts. Monsignor Lucio Adrián Ruiz received a secretarial appointment as well, according to Vatican press office announcements.
Smerilli holds a background in political economy and has been a professor in the field.
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