The number of women working in and with the Vatican continues to rise. Motivated by a shared mission to live and proclaim the Gospel, women are increasingly contributing their talents and experience to the work of the Church\u2014both within Vatican institutions and in Catholic communities around the world.<\/p>\n
Sister Nathalie Becquart, Undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, says this development has unfolded gradually over time. As she explains, \u201cIt’s an ongoing journey. But it’s true that with Pope Francis, he has appointed more and more women in leadership positions at the Vatican.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Sister Becquart, this shift is not limited to the Vatican. She notes that similar changes are visible throughout the Church globally. \u201cBut it’s not only here at the Vatican, I see also many, even dioceses now, they ask a woman to lead the spiritual exercises for male religious congregations. They also ask more women to give them a retreat or to facilitate their chapter. You have more and more women now, for instance, in leadership roles at the Caritas \u2013 that is a very important place for the Church \u2013 or as Presidents of Catholic universities.\u201d<\/p>\n
She adds that the developments are interconnected: \u201cThere is interaction between what is happening in the Vatican and in the local churches.\u201d<\/p>\n
Five years into her role, Sister Becquart has also observed an increase in the number of women\u2014both religious and lay\u2014serving as expert consultants to Vatican dicasteries and commissions, helping guide the Church\u2019s mission on a global level.<\/p>\n
Women Contributing to Catholic Education<\/p>\n
One of those consultants is American educator Marianne Mount, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2024 to serve the Dicastery for Culture and Education.<\/p>\n
Mount, who previously spent 16 years as president of Catholic International University, said the appointment came as an unexpected opportunity. Since then, she has participated in international meetings at the Vatican addressing key issues in Catholic education.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the discussions, Mount explained, \u201cThe first year we met in May and the topic was theological education and how to incorporate philosophy with theology, because the model of the Ecclesiastic University is very different from the U.S. So the Dicastery was looking at ways to consolidate and make it more appealing to Americans, for example. And then the following year, we had a meeting to talk about AI. I find the program very interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n
With more than four decades of experience in education, Mount believes the Church benefits from the perspectives women bring to leadership and advisory roles. As she puts it, \u201cI think the Church benefits from tapping into the skills, the experience, and the intuitiveness of women. I’m very happy that Pope Leo is continuing the tradition that Pope Francis really tried to initiate during his pontificate.\u201d<\/p>\n
New Appointments and Growing Collaboration<\/p>\n
Recent appointments under Pope Leo XIV continue this trajectory. Within the first month of his pontificate, Sister Tiziana Merletti was named Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, which is currently led by the Vatican\u2019s first female prefect, Sister Simona Brambilla.<\/p>\n
In February, Sister Nina Krapic was appointed Deputy Director of the Holy See Press Office. Sister Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, was also given an additional role on the Vatican\u2019s Commission for Reserved Matters.<\/p>\n
For Margherita Romanelli, President of the Women in the Vatican (Donne in Vaticano) Association, these appointments are deeply encouraging. She believes they help strengthen a sense of solidarity among women working in various roles across Vatican institutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recent appointments of women to top positions have greatly helped other women in the workforce to feel valued and to commit themselves to working for the common good, alongside men. This has been very helpful, so we are pleased about this and are confident that the number of women in top positions will continue to increase,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Romanelli, who has worked at the Vatican for 31 years across four pontificates, has long supported women through the professional network she leads. She believes collaboration\u2014both within the Vatican and beyond\u2014is essential.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I believe that associations like ours, which are inspired by Gospel values, have a very important role to play in collaborating with all women. And with women’s associations outside the Vatican, because this allows us to discuss the reality we live in, but also to show solidarity and not think only of ourselves, thus relating to all other women who are outside the Vatican and where we live within society.\u201d<\/p>\n
Together, these developments reflect a broader movement within the Church: one in which women\u2019s gifts, leadership, and experience are increasingly recognized as essential to the mission of evangelization in today\u2019s world.<\/p>\n
Adapted by Jacob Stein. Produced by Alexey Gotovskiy; Camera by Alberto Basile, Fabio Gonnella; Video Edited by Alessio Di Cintio.<\/p>\n