Vatican Names First Female Communications Chief

Vatican's communications department, marking the first time a woman has held the position.

Alvarado, a native of Mexico City, will take up the role in November, succeeding Paolo Ruffini, who is retiring after seven years in office.

She joins the Vatican from the US-based Catholic media group EWTN, where she has served as president and chief operating officer of its news division since 2023. The Dicastery for Communication oversees the Vatican's extensive media operations, including Vatican News, Vatican Radio, L'Osservatore Romano and the Holy See Press Office.

The appointment has also drawn attention because of Alvarado's ties to EWTN, one of the most influential Catholic media networks in the United States. The broadcaster has at times been critical of the late Pope Francis, with some commentators accusing it of providing negative coverage of his pontificate.

(reuters, max)