Pope Leo has named Sister Alessandra Smerilli as Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

In a historic appointment, Pope Leo has named Sister Alessandra Smerilli as Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, making her only the third woman to head a Vatican Dicastery. Other major appointments to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development are Cardinal Fabio Baggio who was named the Pro-Prefect, and Monsignor Jozef Barlaš appointed as Secretary. All the three appointments will take effect on 1 September 2026. Sister Alessandra Smerilli, a member of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, has been serving the same Dicastery as Secretary since 2021. As the new Prefect, Sister Smerilli succeeds Cardinal Michael Czerny. Pope Francis began the practice of appointing women to lead a Vatican Dicastery by naming Sister Simona Brambilla as the prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life in 2025. Pope Leo XIV continues the trend set by Pope Francis in promoting women by placing them in the Church’s key positions.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Pelayan Atasan Tertinggi / Most High Servant,
Yesus, Maria, Yusuf Pelayanan Kasih / Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)

My vocation is Blessed and Saints.

"I am the most humble of all the Saints in Heaven" Mary, Mother of God."

"I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me."

Mother Mary is the most humble Saint in Heaven and she is also the Mother of God for us all
(Luke 1:38)