VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as a Member of the Dicastery for Bishops, the Holy See Press Office announced on Saturday, February 14.
Sister Brambilla, who will turn 61 on March 27, is an Italian-born member of the Consolata Missionaries and currently serves as Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, a role she has held since January 2025.
Joining Trailblazing Women in Leadership
With this appointment, Sister Brambilla joins two other women already serving in the Dicastery for Bishops:
- Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State
- María Lía Zervino, former President of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations
The three women contribute their expertise and insight to the Dicastery, which oversees the appointment of diocesan and titular bishops, Apostolic Administrators, and other responsibilities concerning particular Churches.
Their inclusion highlights a growing role for women in the governance and decision-making processes of the Catholic Church.
Confirmation of Other Members
On the same day, Pope Leo XIV confirmed the membership of cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and religious leaders in the Dicastery for Bishops. Among them:
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State
- Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity
- Metropolitan Archbishop Blase Joseph Cupich, Chicago, USA
- Metropolitan Archbishop Juan José Omella Omella, Barcelona, Spain
- Prefect José Tolentino de Mendonça, Dicastery for Culture and Education
- Other senior Vatican officials and religious leaders from Europe, Asia, and the Americas
This diverse assembly brings together senior clergy and lay leaders to guide the Church in episcopal appointments and related governance matters.
Sister Brambilla’s appointment reflects Pope Leo XIV’s ongoing efforts to include experienced women in roles that shape the future of the Church. She continues her work in guiding and supporting consecrated life while now contributing to episcopal discernment worldwide.