Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday appointed a third woman to head a dicastery, the equivalent of a government ministry.
Sister Alessandra Smerilli will head the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development with effect from September 1, the Vatican said. The dicastery concerns itself with migration, social justice, development and the environment.
Women at the head of a dicastery remain the exception, as 13 are still run by men.
Leo's immediate predecessor, Francis, appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the first head of a dicastery at the beginning of 2025 just months before his death.
At the beginning of June, Leo appointed Mexican-born journalist Maria Montserrat Alvarado to head the Dicastery for Communication.
