Pope Francis Appoints Sister Raffaella Petrini as President of Vatican City State and Governorate

In a significant announcement, Pope Francis has appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E., as the new President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and the Governorate of Vatican City State.

This move, which was confirmed by the Vatican on Saturday, comes as part of a reshuffling of leadership within the Vatican.

Sister Petrini to Assume New Roles in March 2025

Sister Petrini will take on her new responsibilities starting March 1, 2025, succeeding Cardinal Fernando Vérgez in both prestigious positions.

Her appointment follows a pattern of recent high-profile roles being given to women in the Vatican, reflecting Pope Francis’ ongoing commitment to empowering women in leadership within the church.

A Wealth of Experience in Academia and Administration

Sister Petrini’s appointment comes after a distinguished career in both academia and administration.

She has served as Secretary General of the Vatican City Governorate since November 2021, and her background is marked by strong academic credentials.

Born in Rome on January 15, 1969, she holds a degree in political science from the Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Guido Carli and a doctorate from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, where she also serves as a professor.

Before joining the Vatican Governorate, Sister Petrini worked at the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples from 2005 to 2021, adding to her extensive experience in church administration.

A Trend of Women in Vatican Leadership Roles

Sister Petrini’s appointment follows the Pope’s recent selection of Sister Simona Brambilla as the prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

These appointments mark a continuing trend of promoting women to high-ranking positions within the Vatican, a shift that Pope Francis has supported in various public statements, including a recent interview where he mentioned his intention to elevate Sister Petrini’s role.

This move highlights the Pope’s ongoing commitment to fostering greater diversity and inclusion within the Vatican’s leadership structures.