Sister Simona Brambilla (Vatican News)

On 6 January Pope Francis appointed Sister Simona Brambilla, former Superior General of the Consolata Missionary Sisters in Italy, as Prefect of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, of which she was Secretary as of 7 October 2023.

In the words of Mónica Santamarina, WUCWO President General: "The World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) celebrates the appointment of Sister Simona Brambilla, as the first woman to be Prefect of a Dicastery. We thank the Lord and Pope Francis that one more woman is valued and recognised, allowing her to put her gifts and charisms at the service of the Church, together with the other members of the People of God. From now on, we accompany her with our prayers."

Sister Simona Brambilla, the first prefect of the Vatican, counts on her CV her missionary experience in Mozambique after obtaining a professional diploma in nursing and joining the Institute of the Consolata Missionary Sisters, which she directed from 2011 until 2023. On 8 July 2019, the Pope appointed for the first time seven women members of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Afterwards, Sister Brambilla was elected, first as secretary of the Dicastery, and today as prefect.

Since the beginning of Pope Francis's pontificate, the presence of women in the Vatican has increased. According to overall data covering both the Holy See and Vatican City State from 2013 to 2023, the percentage of women has risen from 19.2% to 23.4%. A pathway outlined by the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium of 2022, the Pope has made it possible for laypeople, including women, to lead a Dicastery and become Prefect, a role previously reserved for Cardinals and Archbishops.

Vatican News: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-01/vatican-first-female-prefect-simona-brambilla-consecrated-life.html

Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life: https://www.vitaconsacrata.va/en.html