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 marks a historic moment, as it is the first time a woman has been appointed to this high-level position within the Roman Curia during Pope Leo XIV's papacy. Sister Merletti, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor and a canon lawyer, will report to Sister Simona Brambilla. The appointment reflects the increasing role of women in leadership within the Vatican and the Dicastery's focus on religious orders and societies of apostolic life.
10 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 2 1. The appointment, announced on May 22, 2025, marks Pope Leo XIV's first high-level appointment within the Roman Curia 1 3. Sister Merletti, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, will serve as the "number two" official in the Dicastery 1.
This appointment is particularly significant as Sister Merletti will be working directly under Sister Simona Brambilla, the Prefect of the Dicastery, who was appointed in January 2 1. Sister Brambilla is the first woman to head a Vatican dicastery 3 1. The presence of two women in these top roles represents a notable shift towards empowering women in the Vatican's leadership structure 2. Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime serves as Pro-Prefect, highlighting a collaborative leadership model 2.
Born in Pineto, Italy, in 1959, Sister Tiziana Merletti has a strong background in both civil and canon law 2 4. She earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University in 1992 3 4. From 2004 to 2013, she served as Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor 1 4. Currently, she teaches canon law at the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome and collaborates with the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) as a canonist 1 2.
The Dicastery is responsible for matters relating to the practice of the evangelical counsels in consecrated life and the activities of Societies of Apostolic Life within the Latin Church 3 7. The Dicastery promotes, encourages, and regulates the practice of the evangelical counsels 3. According to 2022 Vatican statistics, there are approximately 600,000 professed women religious in the Catholic Church 1 3.
The appointment of Sister Merletti continues a trend of increasing the presence of women in leadership positions within the Vatican 2 4. Data indicates that the female presence in Vatican leadership increased significantly under Pope Francis 4 5. The 2022 apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium decreed that laypeople, including women, could lead a dicastery 4 5.
What is the Church's understanding of women's role?
I can confirm that the current Pope is Leo XIV. I do not have access to any information about the appointment of Sister Tiziana Merletti as Secretary of a Vatican Dicastery. Dicasteries are departments within the Vatican that manage various aspects of Church affairs. To find information about specific appointments, you can consult the Vatican's official website or other Catholic news sources. : Dicastery