Pope Leo XIV appoints Italian nun to top migrant role
Pope Leo XIV appointed Sister Alessandra Smerilli as head of the Vatican's migrant office, his first major female appointment.
July 1, 2026
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Source: koreatimes.co.kr
ROME — Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday made his first major appointment of a woman to the Holy See hierarchy, promoting Italian Sister Alessandra Smerilli to lead the Vatican's office for migrants and refugees, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office.
Sister Smerilli, a member of the Salesian Sisters, previously served as undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The appointment, effective immediately, places her in charge of coordinating the Church's response to migration issues globally.
The move is seen as a significant step in the pope's efforts to increase women's leadership roles within the Vatican. No further details on her specific policy plans were released.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sister Alessandra Smerilli?
She is an Italian nun from the Salesian Sisters, previously undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, now appointed to lead the Vatican's migrant office.
What is the significance of this appointment?
It is Pope Leo XIV's first major appointment of a woman to a senior role in the Holy See hierarchy, highlighting his focus on increasing women's leadership in the Vatican.
When did this appointment take place?
The appointment was announced on Tuesday, July 1, 2026, effective immediately.
