In a groundbreaking move, Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the head of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, making her the first woman to hold this position overseeing the world’s Catholic religious orders and congregations.
The 59-year-old Brambilla, a former nurse with missionary experience in Mozambique, had previously served as the dicastery’s deputy. Described as “moderate and conciliatory” by Vatican journalist Franca Giansoldati, Brambilla brings valuable experience as both a missionary and administrator to her new role.
However, her appointment has raised questions, particularly regarding the simultaneous appointment of Cardinal Angel Fernandez, 65, as “pro-prefect” alongside her. The role of pro-prefect typically indicates someone poised to take over the position of prefect in the future, which has led to concerns that Fernandez may hold more influence than Brambilla, reducing her to a symbolic figurehead.
The Vatican has not clarified Fernandez’s exact responsibilities, which has left some questioning the dynamics of the decision. Given that only men can be ordained in the Catholic Church, there are ongoing debates over the role of women in positions of power within the Vatican. Currently, nuns and sisters, who far outnumber priests in the Church, cannot hold positions requiring Holy Orders, which continues to fuel calls for more inclusive leadership roles for women.
Born in Monza, Italy, Brambilla has a background in nursing and psychology, and she led the Consolata Missionary Sisters’ institute until May 2023. Although Pope Francis has gradually appointed more women to prominent roles within the Holy See, progress remains slow. Data from Vatican News shows that the percentage of women working in the Holy See has risen from 19% in 2013 to 23.4% in 2023.
