On February 15, Pope Francis appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini as the new president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and the President of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the appointment will take effect on March 1.
Sister Petrini, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, has held the position of secretary general of the Governorate since 2021. With this new role, she becomes the first woman to assume the highest leadership position in the Vatican’s administrative framework.
As president, she will be responsible for overseeing Vatican City’s governance, managing daily operations, and implementing policies in alignment with the Holy See’s directives. The governorate is tasked with handling various administrative functions, including security, infrastructure, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Sister Petrini succeeds Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, L.C., who had served as president since 2021.