Pope Leo XIV Appointed a Woman to Lead Vatican Department

Pope Leo XIV has appointed new leadership for the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Sister Alessandra Smerilli, who has served as the dicastery's secretary, will become prefect of one of the Roman Curia's key departments effective September 1. She will succeed Cardinal Michael Czerny, according to Vatican News.

Cardinal Fabio Baggio has been appointed pro-prefect and will assume special responsibility for the Laudato Si' University Center, which promotes environmental stewardship and integral human development. Monsignor Jozef Barlaš, formerly the dicastery's undersecretary, has been named secretary.

The new leadership will oversee the Vatican office responsible for coordinating the Catholic Church's work on justice, peace, migration, health care, charitable activities, environmental protection and the promotion of human dignity around the world.

(mja)