Pope Leo XIV has appointed Sister Tiziana Merletti as the secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This historic appointment marks the first time a woman will hold this position, signifying a significant step towards greater female leadership within the Vatican. Sister Merletti, a canon lawyer and former superior general of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, will report to Sister Simona Brambilla, the current prefect. The appointment is celebrated by the women’s International Union of Superiors General and highlights the increasing role of women in the Church's administration.
11 days ago
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Sister Tiziana Merletti as the new Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. This marks Pope Leo XIV's first top-level appointment within the Roman Curia 2 6. The appointment signals a continued emphasis on empowering women in key decision-making roles within the Church 1.
The appointment builds upon the efforts of Pope Francis to increase the presence of women in Vatican leadership 3 4. Under Pope Francis, the female presence in the Vatican increased from approximately 19.2% to 23.4% 3 4. The 2022 apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium allowed laypersons, including women, to lead a dicastery, a position previously held by Cardinals or Archbishops 3 4. Sister Simona Brambilla, Merletti's superior, was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery in January by Pope Francis, becoming the first woman to head a Vatican dicastery 2 6.
Sister Tiziana Merletti, 65, brings a wealth of experience and qualifications to her new role 2 3 6 7 8. Born in Pineto, Italy, she earned a civil law degree before joining the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor in 1986 2 3 6 7 8. She later obtained a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome in 1992 1 2 3 6 7 8. From 2004 to 2013, she served as Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor 1 2 3 6 7 8. More recently, she has been a professor of canon law at the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome and a canon law expert with the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) 1 2 3 6 7 8.
The Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is responsible for promoting, encouraging, and regulating the practice of evangelical counsels within the Church 2 6 7 8. It oversees matters concerning the lives and activities of Societies of Apostolic Life throughout the Latin Church 2 6 7 8. This dicastery is responsible for the government, discipline, studies, assets, rights and privileges of institutes of consecrated life 3 4. According to Vatican statistics, there are nearly 600,000 professed women religious in the Catholic Church 2 6 7 8.
The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) has expressed its gratitude to Pope Leo XIV and congratulated Sister Merletti on her appointment 2 6 7 8. The UISG acknowledged her contributions to promoting justice, care, and integrity in consecrated life 2 6 7 8. Sister Merletti's appointment is seen as a strategic move to reshape Vatican governance by placing women in significant decision-making positions 1.
What is the Church's understanding of women's role?
While Pope Leo XIV has not appointed Sister Tiziana Merletti as Secretary of a Vatican Dicastery, here's some information about women in Vatican Dicasteries based on Church documents.