For the first time, a woman has been appointed to a leadership position within the Vatican's church hierarchy.

Pope Francis has appointed a woman as the head of a department within the Roman Curia for the first time. Italian nun Simona Brambilla has become the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This was reported on January 6 by Vatican News.

The 59-year-old Sister Simona Brambilla is from the Missionary Congregation of Our Lady of Consolation, which she led from 2011 to 2023. Before joining the congregation of missionary sisters, Simona Brambilla was a professional nurse. Since October 7, 2023, she has been serving as the Secretary of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. On Monday, during the Feast of the Epiphany, Pope Francis appointed her as the Prefect (head) of the Dicastery (department of the Roman Curia).

According to Vatican News, since the beginning of Pope Francis's pontificate, the presence of women in the Vatican has increased. In 2019, the Pope appointed seven women as members of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life for the first time, and in 2022, he allowed laypeople, including women, to lead dicasteries and become prefects. Previously, only cardinals and archbishops could hold these positions.

On December 13, 2024, the Pope appointed Sister Simona Brambilla and Maria Lia Servino, former president of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations, as members of the 16th Council of the General Secretariat.

The Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is responsible for the establishment of religious and secular institutes, public apostolic life, their dissolution, unification, and the creation of federations. It also oversees hermits and tertiaries. Prefects are appointed for a five-year term.