Pope Leo Names First Female Head of Key Vatican Office | Global News

Pope Leo XIV just stunned the Catholic world by promoting Sister Alessandra Smerilli — an economist and longtime deputy — to lead the Vatican’s top office on migrants, environment, and development, marking a historic leap for women in church leadership. This move echoes Pope Francis’s efforts to elevate women’s roles, responding to decades of calls for greater inclusion despite the Church’s continued male-only priesthood. The dual appointment of Cardinal Fabio Baggio as “pro-prefect” alongside Smerilli highlights the Vatican’s delicate balancing act: honoring tradition while embracing change. As women continue to drive the Church’s mission behind the scenes, this shift signals a new chapter — one that’s both symbolic and substantive. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/96b9be3d81d9345f