On 30 June 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli, F.M.A., as Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Until now Secretary of the same Dicastery, she will take up her new office on 1 September 2026.
The Holy Father has also appointed Cardinal Fabio Baggio, C.S., currently Undersecretary of the Dicastery, as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with particular responsibility for the Laudato Si’ Centre for Advanced Formation. In addition, he has appointed Monsignor Jozef Barlaš, currently Undersecretary, as Secretary of the same Dicastery.
These appointments form part of a series of recent appointments within the Roman Curia that strengthen the presence of women in positions of responsibility.
This is the second appointment of a woman to a senior leadership role by Pope Leo XIV, following the appointment of María Montserrat Alvarado as Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication. Sister Alessandra Smerilli also becomes the third woman to serve as a Prefect in the Roman Curia, following Pope Francis’ appointment of Sister Simona Brambilla as Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on 6 January 2025.
On her social media, Sister Smerilli said that she accepts this mission “with gratitude and trust in the Lord. Every responsibility in the Church takes on its deepest meaning only when it is lived as an opportunity to serve, to love, and to bear witness to the Gospel.” She also highlighted the importance of the dignity of every person, adding: “True development is measured not only by what we are able to achieve, but by how faithfully we safeguard the dignity of every human person and draw near to those who are most vulnerable, poor, and forgotten.”
Mónica Santamarina, WUCWO President General, welcomed these appointments with great joy and, in particular, celebrated the appointment of Sister Alessandra Smerilli as another woman to lead a Dicastery: “We give thanks to the Lord and to the Holy Father for appointing a woman to lead a Dicastery that is so important for vulnerable women and for those who are marginalised throughout the world. We know her experience, expertise and talent, and we are confident that, guided by the Lord and through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, she will carry out this mission, contributing to the building of a more humane and just future for all.“
Sources:
Vatican News: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-06/pope-makes-appointments-dicastery-for-integral-human-development.html
Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development: https://www.humandevelopment.va/en/news/2026/papa-leone-nomina-suor-alessandra-smerilli-prefetto-dicastero-sviluppo-umano-integrale.html
WUCWO Communication Office
