This historic appointment is part of Pope Francis’ efforts to increase women's leadership within the Church. While women have held deputy roles in the Vatican, Brambilla is the first to lead a dicastery. Vatican Media described her appointment as groundbreaking, emphasizing its symbolic importance for gender inclusivity in Church governance.
Brambilla, 59, is a member of the Consolata Missionaries and served as the department’s No. 2 since 2023. Previously, she worked as a nurse and missionary in Mozambique and led her order from 2011 to 2023. Her appointment follows Francis' 2022 reform allowing laypeople, including women, to head Vatican dicasteries.
Despite the milestone, some see room for progress. Pope Francis simultaneously named Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime as a co-leader or "pro-prefect" for sacramental duties like celebrating Mass, which women cannot perform under current Church rules.
Brambilla’s new role comes at a time when the number of nuns worldwide has sharply declined, dropping from 750,000 in 2010 to 600,000 in 2022. Addressing this issue will be a significant challenge.
Pope Francis has taken steps to include women in leadership, with women now occupying 26% of Curia roles, up from 19.3% in 2013. Other prominent women in Vatican leadership include Sister Raffaella Petrini, the first female secretary general of Vatican City State, and Barbara Jatta, director of the Vatican Museums.
Catholic women have long advocated for more leadership opportunities, though Francis continues to uphold the ban on female priests and deacons. Nonetheless, Brambilla’s appointment reflects ongoing efforts to redefine women’s roles within the Church’s hierarchy.
This latest move signals progress while highlighting the challenges of achieving full equality within the Catholic Church’s deeply rooted traditions.
