Pope Francis appointed Sister Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, as prefect of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, marking a historic step for women's leadership in the Catholic Church. While women have held No. 2 positions in Vatican offices before, Brambilla is the first woman to lead a major dicastery.
Pope Francis on Monday named the first woman to head a major Vatican office, appointing an Italian nun, Sister Simona Brambilla , to become prefect of the department responsible for all the Catholic Church 's religious orders.
The office is one of the most important in the Vatican. Known officially as the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, it is responsible for every religious order, from the Jesuits and Franciscans to smaller newer movements. Brambilla, 59, is a member of the Consolata Missionaries religious order and had served as the No. 2 in the religious orders department since last year. She takes over from the retiring Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, 77.
Her appointment is the latest move by Francis to show by example how women can take leadership roles within the Catholic hierarchy, albeit without allowing them to be ordained as priests.
Vatican Catholic Church Pope Francis Women's Leadership Sister Simona Brambilla
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