In a bold move signaling his ongoing commitment to gender equality within the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has appointed Franciscan Sister Raffaella Petrini as the first woman to lead the Vatican Governorate, the administrative body overseeing the daily operations of Vatican City. The announcement, made during the Pope’s recent appearance on the Italian talk show Che Tempo Che Fa, marks a watershed moment for an institution long governed by an all-male hierarchy.
Sister Petrini, 56, will assume her role as Secretary-General of the Vatican Governorate in March 2025, succeeding Spanish Cardinal Fernando Vérgez, who is retiring after reaching the age limit for senior Vatican roles. A Rome native with a doctorate from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Petrini brings decades of administrative experience to the position. Her responsibilities will include managing the Vatican’s healthcare system, police force, and infrastructure—a testament to her reputation as a pragmatic and visionary leader.
The Pope’s decision aligns with his broader push to integrate women into high-ranking Vatican positions. During the interview, Francis praised women’s unique ability to “manage things better than us,” a sentiment echoed in his recent appointments. Earlier this year, Sister Simona Brambilla became the first woman to co-lead the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life alongside Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime. Similarly, Sister Alessandra Smerilli has served as co-prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development since 2022. These roles, while groundbreaking, still require women to share leadership with male counterparts—a nuance critics argue reflects lingering institutional hesitancy.
Petrini’s rise through the Vatican ranks began in the now-dissolved Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, where she honed her expertise in governance and diplomacy. Her academic background in political science and her tenure as a professor at her alma mater further underscore her qualifications. Beyond her professional achievements, colleagues describe her as a humble yet decisive figure, embodying the Franciscan values of service and simplicity.
The appointment also reflects the Pope’s 2022 reforms outlined in Praedicate Evangelium, a constitutional overhaul permitting laypeople—including women—to lead Vatican departments previously reserved for clergy. While the Church maintains its prohibition on female ordination, Francis has repeatedly emphasized the “irreplaceable contribution” of women in governance and pastoral care. Today, women helm influential Vatican entities such as the Vatican Museums (led by Barbara Jatta since 2016) and the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (directed by Mariella Enoc since 2015). Three women also sit on the commission advising the Pope on bishop appointments, a once-unthinkable development.
Yet challenges persist. Sister Brambilla’s shared leadership role, for instance, highlights the Church’s cautious approach to granting women full autonomy in decision-making. Traditionalists within the Curia continue to resist systemic change, fearing it could undermine doctrinal stability. Nevertheless, advocates view Petrini’s promotion as a symbolic victory, proving that competence and collaboration can transcend centuries of tradition.
As Vatican City prepares for this historic transition, Sister Petrini’s leadership will face immediate tests, from balancing the micronation’s budget to addressing ongoing scrutiny over financial transparency. Her success could pave the way for further reforms, reshaping not only the governance of the world’s smallest state but also the global Church’s approach to inclusivity.
In a world where the Catholic Church grapples with declining membership and evolving societal norms, Francis’s gamble on Petrini sends a clear message: The future of the Church hinges not on clinging to the past but on embracing the diverse gifts of all its members—women included.