Global

Pope Francis Appoints Italian Nun As First Woman To Lead Major Vatican Office

Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the first woman to lead a major Vatican office, naming her prefect of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. 

The appointment, announced on Monday, marks a historic milestone in the Pope’s efforts to elevate women to leadership roles within the Catholic Church.

This dicastery oversees all religious orders within the Church, including the Jesuits, Franciscans, and Mercy nuns, as well as newer religious movements. Brambilla, 59, now holds responsibility for 600,000 Catholic nuns and 129,000 priests belonging to religious orders globally.

“This should have happened long ago, but thank God,” said Thomas Groome, a professor of theology at Boston College. He called the appointment a symbolic step towards greater inclusivity, adding that Brambilla could technically be made a cardinal, although the Pope paired her with a male co-leader, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, as “pro-prefect.” Theologically, the head of the dicastery must perform sacramental functions reserved for ordained men, which may explain the decision.

The dual appointment drew mixed reactions. Natalia Imperatori-Lee, chair of the religion and philosophy department at Manhattan University, welcomed Brambilla’s role but criticised the inclusion of a male co-prefect. 

“One day, I pray, the Church will see women for the capable leaders they already are,” she said.

Brambilla is a member of the Consolata Missionaries and previously worked as a nurse and missionary in Mozambique. She led her order as superior from 2011 to 2023 before being appointed secretary of the religious orders department. Her promotion follows Pope Francis’ 2022 reforms allowing laypeople, including women, to head Vatican dicasteries.

One significant challenge Brambilla will face is the decline in the number of nuns worldwide, which has dropped from 750,000 in 2010 to 600,000 last year. Her appointment is part of Pope Francis’ broader efforts to demonstrate women’s leadership potential within the Church, though he has upheld the ban on female priests and dampened hopes for the ordination of women as deacons.

Since Francis became Pope, the percentage of women in Vatican leadership roles has risen from 19.3% in 2013 to 23.4% today. 

Notable appointments include Sister Raffaella Petrini, the first female secretary general of the Vatican City State, and Barbara Jatta, the laywoman overseeing the Vatican Museums. Other women, such as Sister Alessandra Smerilli and Sister Nathalie Becquart, also hold prominent positions in the Vatican hierarchy.

Brambilla’s appointment is widely seen as a step towards recognising women’s contributions to the Church, even as the debate over their ordination continues.

Faridah Abdulkadiri

Follow us on:

Faridah Abdulkadiri

View Comments

  • <<<<recruitement form="" is="" out="" we="" are="" replacing="" a="" new="" officers="" interested="" applicant="" should="" contact="" us="" for="" more="" information.;="">>><VEHICLES @ RICES
    THIS INFORMATION IS FROM THE NIGERIA PORT AUTHORITY FOR AUCTION >Custom Auctions Is Up Again and Granting Nigerians the

    Privilege to Own Vehicles at Affordable RatesFOR MORE INFORMATION Call or message on WhatsApp(Officer Omar Patrick)) 07O ___-6875 __-7992
    RICE AVAILABLE FOR SALES ARE :-
    MamaGold=30,500
    Royal umbrella=30,500
    Mama Gold=30,500
    Rising sun=30,500
    Mama Africa=30,500
    Elephant Gold=30,500
    Caprice =30,500
    NOTE: Delivery fee IS (#5000) which must be paid before we ensure your delivery..
    *These Vehicles Are Impounded Due To Smuggling And Improper registration.*
    *These Vehicles Are Direct Tokunbo and Has Never Been Used In Nigeria.*.For any purchase
    Call the officer((Omar Patrick))
    07O -6875 _-7992
    #TOYOTA
    TOYOTA CAMRY ₦2.2 650,000
    TOYOTA CAMRY ₦2.4 850,000
    TOYOTA COROLLA ₦900,000
    TOYOTA MATRIX ₦800,000
    TOYOTA SIENNA ₦950,000
    TOYOTA RAV4 ₦1.2 MILLION
    TOYOTA VENZA ₦3.5 MILLION
    TOYOTA CAMRY SPIDER ₦1.8 MILLION
    TOYOTA HIACE BUS ₦2.5 MILLION
    TOYOTA PRADO ₦4 MILLION
    TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ₦1.8 MILLION
    •Toyota Land Cruiser-N1.3m
    •Toyota Prado N1.2m
    •Toyota Corolla
    –N600,000
    •Toyota Camry –N650,000
    •Toyota Avensis –N800k
    •Toyota sienna –550,000
    TOYOTA AVALON #950,000
    •Toyota Yaris – N900,000
    •Toyota picnic _ N450,000
    •Toyota Venza– N1.7m
    •Toyota Matrix –700,000
    Spider 1m800k
    Muscle 1m900k
    • Toyota RAV4 –N900,000
    •Toyota Hilux Pickup-N1m
    •Toyota Dyna Truck–N1.3million
    •Toyota 4 Runner–N1m
    tundra 2.670,000
    tacoma 2.5Million
    •Toyota Hiace Bus –N1.5m
    •Toyota Highlander-N1.2m
    •Toyota Big daddy-800k

    Toyota Camry Big Daddy=N550,000.
    Toyota Camry Tiny-Light=N400,000.
    Toyota Avenza =N950,000. To 1.3 million
    Toyota Hilux=N 1.2 million
    Toyota Avensis=N450,000.
    Toyota Camry Muscle=N 600,000. & Spider=N650,000.
    Toyota Avalon=N600,000.
    Toyota Rav4 SUV=N850,000.
    Toyota Sienna=N600,000.
    Toyota 4Runner=N800,000.
    Toyota Tundra=N 1.8 Million
    Toyota picnic=N450,000.
    Toyota Highlander=N1m550,000. to 2m
    Toyota Corolla=N500,000.
    Toyota Prado=N950,000. To 3.4 million
    Toyota LandCruisser=N950,000. to 3m
    Toyota Yaris=N750.000.
    Toyota Matrix=N550,000.
    Toyota Haice Bus=N 950,000 to N 1.3 Million
    Toyota Camry 2.4M Tiny-Light ₦850.000
    Toyota Camry Big-Daddy ₦950.000
    Toyota Camry Muscle ₦1.2M
    Toyota Camry Spider ₦1.3M
    Toyota Avalon ₦2.2M
    Toyota Avensis ₦1.2M
    Toyota Corolla ₦950.000
    Toyota Yaris ₦1.2M
    Toyota Matrix ₦900.000
    Toyota Picnic ₦1.1M
    Toyota Sienna ₦2.1M
    Toyota Venza ₦3.2M
    Toyota Rav4 ₦1.1M
    Toyota 4Runner ₦1.8M
    Toyota Hiace-Bus ₦2.9M
    Toyota Highlander ₦2.3M
    Toyota Land Cruiser ₦4.6M
    Toyota Tundra ₦4.8M
    Toyota Prado ₦5.3M
    #HONDA
    HONDA ACCORD ₦700,000
    HONDA PILOT ₦1.2 MILLION
    HONDA EOD ₦850,000
    HONDA ODYSSEY ₦1MILLION
    Honda Baby Boy= ₦780,000
    Honda Accord EOD= ₦950,000
    Honda City= ₦750,000
    Honda Crosstour= ₦1.2M
    Honda CR-V= ₦950k
    Honda Odyssey= ₦850,000
    Honda Pilot= ₦1Million
    Honda Pilot=N950,000.
    Honda Baby Boy=N500,000.
    Honda End of Discussion(EOD)=N550,000.
    Honda Accord=N500,000.
    Honda CRV=N800,000.
    Honda Accord ₦950,000
    Honda City ₦850,000
    Honda Civic ₦950.000
    Honda C-RV ₦1.5M
    Honda Crosstour ₦1.2M
    Honda Element ₦950.000
    Honda Evilspirit ₦1.1M
    Honda Odyssey ₦1.2M
    Honda Pilot ₦2.3M

    *Prices of some Volswagen cars:
    Golf 2-250,000
    Golf 3-N300,000
    Golf4-350,000
    Golf 5 -N550,000
    Jetta-N350,000
    Passat-N450,000
    #LEXUS
    LEXUS Es300 ₦1.3 MILLION
    LEXUS Es330 ₦1.6 MILLION
    LEXUS Es350 ₦2 MILLION
    LEXUS Rx300 ₦1.7 MILLION
    LEXUS Rx330 ₦3 MILLION
    LEXUS Rx350 ₦4 MILLION
    LEXUS RX400 ₦3.5 MILLION
    LEXUS GX460 ₦4 MILLION
    LEXUS GX470 ₦5 MILLION
    LEXUS ES300@#1.3 MILLION
    LEXUS ES330@#1.6 MILLION
    LEXUS ES350@#2 MILLION
    LEXUS RX300@#1.7 MILLION
    LEXUS RX330@#3 MILLION
    LEXUS RX350@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS RX400@#3.5 MILLION
    LEXUS GX460@#4 MILLION
    LEXUS GX470@#5 MILLION
    Lexus GX460=₦6.6M
    Lexus GX470=₦8.4M
    Lexus GX570=₦13.8M
    Lexus IS-250=₦2.1M
    Lexus ES-330=₦1.5M
    Lexus ES-350=₦2.6M
    Lexus RX300= ₦1.5M
    Lexus RX330= ₦2.8M
    Lexus RX350= ₦3.2M.
    Lexus Rx300=N800,000. To N2.1 Million
    Lexus Rx330=N850,000 To N2.2 Million
    Lexus Rx350=N900,000 To N3.3 Million
    Lexus Rx470=N3.m
    Lexus Rx330 ₦2.1M
    Lexus Rx350 ₦4.1M
    Lexus Rx400 ₦5.4M
    Lexus Gx470₦7M
    #MERCEDES
    MERCEDES C240 ₦1.3 MILLION
    MERCEDES C300 ₦1.7 MILLION
    MERCEDES ML350 ₦2.8 MILLION
    MERCEDES GLK350 ₦3.8 MILLION
    MERCEDES GL470 ₦4 Million.etc.
    BENZ C-CLASS ₦3,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ GLA 250 4.6M
    MERCEDES-BENZ E-Class ₦3,500,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ G-Class ₦4,000,000
    MERCEDES-BENZ GLK ₦4,500,000
    MERCEDES BENZ ML₦5,000,000
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.7 million
    Mercedes-Benz G-Class ₦2.5 million
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.5 Million
    Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4.8MILLION
    Mercedes Benz ML350 ₦2.3 million
    Mercedes Benz g-wagon ₦125 million.
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦3.5M
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦3.9M
    Mercedes-Benz G-Class ₦3.8M
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦4.6M
    Mercedes Benz ML₦5.6M
    Nissan pathfinder= ₦1.9M
    Nissan Altima= ₦1.820,000
    Nissan Armanda= ₦1.2M
    Nissan Murano 950,000
    Nissan Murano=N850,000. to N 1.2 Million
    Nissan Pathinder=N800,000. To N 1 million
    Nissan Altima=N800,000.
    Nissan Maxima=N600,000.
    Nissan Altima ₦1.2M
    Nissan Armada ₦2.3M
    Nissan Maxima N1M
    Nissan Murano ₦1.4M
    Nissan Primera ₦900,000
    Nissan Pathfinder ₦1.5M
    Nissan Maxima= ₦1.600,000.e.t.c.

    Range rover vogue 8mill
    Range rover sport HSE 4.8m
    Land rover 3.3m
    Land Rover Discovery ₦4.8M
    Land Rover Freelander ₦5.5M
    Land Rover Vogue ₦5.2M
    Range Rover Sport. ₦5.5M

    Acura ZDX 1.550,000
    Acura MDX 1.6m
    Acura TL ₦1.2M
    Acura MDX ₦2.2M
    Acura ZDX ₦1.9M

    MANY MORE EXCLUSIVE OFFER'S LIKE.....
    LAPTOPS, GENERATOR'S, FRIDGE, CONTAINERS, PHONE, MOTORCYCLE, AND KEKE.... Bales of Okirika Clothes 50kg for #35,000, 100kg for #75,000 and 150kg for #180,000

    👉KEKE MARUWA.
    Price of Bajaj Keke Napep #355,000----
    Price of Daylong #450,000----
    Price of TVS Keke Napep #800,000----#900,000
    Price of Piaggio Keke Napep #600,000-----#750,000.

    👉 CONTACT (Officer Omar Patrick) 07O -6875 _-7992
    Bags of cement #5,500
    Delivery cost is #1,000

    EVERY BUYER IS EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE DOCUMENTS OF THE VEHICLES BEFORE THE DELIVERY WILL COMMENCE!!!!WE DELIVER NATION WIDE NOTICE INSTALLMENTAL PAYMENT IS ALLOWED!!! ONLY INTERESTED BUYERS SHOULD CONTACT: THE OFFICER(( Omar Patrick)) 07O -6875 _-7992THANKS FOR PATRONIZING WITH US.📞📞〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽..〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽..〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽.〽

Recent Posts

MANTRA Partners With Dubai’s DAMAC Group To Tokenize $1 Billion In Assets In the Middle East

Dubai’s DAMAC Group has teamed up with MANTRA to tokenize $1 billion in Middle East…

45 minutes ago

Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty Bids To Acquire TikTok’s US Assets Ahead Of January 19 Deadline

Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty consortium has proposed to buy TikTok’s US assets, securing financial backing…

56 minutes ago

Army Chief Joseph Aoun Elected President of Lebanon, Signalling Weakened Hezbollah Influence

Lebanon’s parliament has elected army chief General Joseph Aoun as the country’s president, filling the…

2 hours ago

Los Angeles Fires: Six Different Blazes Encircle The City As Fire Fighters Grapple With Water Shortage

The Los Angeles wildfire is still blazing on six fronts, destroying homes, landmarks, with water…

3 hours ago

Venancio Mondlane Returns to Mozambique, Declares Himself ‘President-Elect’

Venancio Mondlane has returned to Mozambique, rejected election results, and proclaimed himself 'president-elect' amid two…

3 hours ago

Oxford English Dictionary Expands Lexicon with Nigerian Words

The Oxford English Dictionary has added 20 Nigerian words, showcasing the global influence of Nigeria’s…

4 hours ago