In a historic decision, Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the head of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, making her the first woman to lead a major Vatican office. This department oversees all Catholic religious orders, including those of priests, nuns, and newer religious movements. The appointment is a significant milestone in the pope’s ongoing effort to expand women’s leadership roles within the Church.
While women have previously held deputy positions in Vatican offices, Brambilla’s promotion marks the first time a woman has been named a prefect of a dicastery or congregation within the Holy See’s governing body. Vatican Media highlighted the groundbreaking nature of the appointment with the headline: “Sister Simona Brambilla is the first woman prefect in the Vatican.”
The Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life plays a vital role in the Church, overseeing the activities of its 600,000 nuns and 129,000 priests who belong to religious orders, such as the Jesuits, Franciscans, and Mercy nuns. By heading this department, Brambilla assumes responsibility for the many women who form the backbone of the Church’s daily work, as well as men in religious orders.
“It should be a woman. Long ago it should have been, but thank God,” commented Thomas Groome, a theology and religious education professor at Boston College who advocates for women’s ordination as priests. He described the decision as a symbolic step forward, adding, “It shows an openness and a new horizon or possibility.” Groome also noted that, in theory, Pope Francis could name Brambilla as a cardinal, since cardinals are not required to be ordained priests. However, he acknowledged that such a move might be unprecedented.
Interestingly, the pope appointed a male co-leader, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime of the Salesian order, to serve alongside Brambilla as “pro-prefect.” While the Vatican bulletin listed Brambilla as the prefect and Fernández as her deputy, the dual appointment reflects a theological limitation: the head of the dicastery must be able to celebrate Mass and perform other sacramental duties, which are currently restricted to men in the Catholic Church.
This compromise dampened the initial enthusiasm of some observers. Natalia Imperatori-Lee, chair of the religion and philosophy department at Manhattan University, expressed her disappointment upon learning of the co-prefect’s appointment. “One day, I pray, the church will see women for the capable leaders they already are,” she said. She also criticized the decision, remarking, “It’s ridiculous to think she needs help running a Vatican dicastery. For as long as men have been in charge of this division of Vatican governance, they have governed both men’s and women’s religious communities.”
Brambilla, aged 59, belongs to the Consolata Missionaries religious order. Before this promotion, she had served as the department’s No. 2 since 2023. Her predecessor, Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, retired at the age of 77. Prior to joining the Vatican administration, Brambilla worked as a nurse and missionary in Mozambique. From 2011 to 2023, she led her Consolata order as superior.
Her elevation to the role of prefect was made possible by Pope Francis’ 2022 reform of the Vatican’s governing constitution. The changes allowed laypeople, including women, to lead dicasteries and serve as prefects, breaking long-standing traditions. However, while the pope has taken steps to promote women’s leadership, he has maintained the Church’s ban on female priests and rejected proposals to ordain women as deacons.
One of Brambilla’s immediate challenges will be addressing the steep decline in the number of Catholic nuns worldwide. Vatican statistics reveal that the number of nuns has decreased by approximately 10,000 annually in recent years, dropping from 750,000 in 2010 to 600,000 in 2022.
Despite the limitations on ordination, Pope Francis has made strides in improving women’s representation within the Vatican. During his papacy, the percentage of women in Vatican leadership roles has risen from 19.3% in 2013 to 23.4% today. In the Curia, the Church’s central governing body, women now occupy 26% of positions.
Sister Simona Brambilla joins a growing list of women breaking barriers in Vatican leadership. Sister Raffaella Petrini is the first female secretary general of Vatican City State, where she oversees health care, the police force, and the Vatican Museums. These museums, a major source of revenue, are led by Barbara Jatta, a laywoman. Additionally, Sister Alessandra Smerilli serves as the No. 2 official in the Vatican’s development office, while Sister Nathalie Becquart holds an under-secretary position in the synod of bishops’ office.
By appointing women to prominent roles, Pope Francis continues to demonstrate his commitment to fostering gender inclusivity within the Church’s hierarchy. Yet, critics argue that true equality remains elusive as long as sacramental duties and priestly ordination remain the exclusive domain of men. For now, Brambilla’s historic appointment signals progress, even as it highlights the ongoing challenges of achieving full gender parity within the Catholic Church.