Pope Leo XIV has announced a major leadership change within the Vatican, appointing Italian economist and Salesian Sister Alessandra Smerilli to head the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
The appointment marks another significant step in the pope’s efforts to expand women’s leadership in senior Vatican positions, with Smerilli set to succeed Cardinal Michael Czerny, who is retiring after reaching the Church’s mandatory age limit for prefects.
Sister Alessandra Smerilli Elevated to Top Vatican Role
Smerilli, 51, has served as secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development since August 2021 after first joining the department as undersecretary earlier that year.
An economist and academic, she teaches political economy and statistics at the Auxilium Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences and also serves on the board of the Laudato Si’ Higher Education Center.
Her experience extends beyond academia.
She helped organize the global Economy of Francesco initiative in 2020 and has previously served as a member of the Vatican City State council as well as the Vatican’s former fundraising commission.
Cardinal Fabio Baggio Named Pro-Prefect
Alongside Smerilli’s appointment, Pope Leo XIV has named Italian Cardinal Fabio Baggio as pro-prefect of the dicastery.
Baggio has served as the department’s undersecretary since 2022 and previously worked extensively in its migrants and refugees section following the dicastery’s creation.
The decision to appoint a cardinal as pro-prefect alongside a woman prefect follows a model introduced under Pope Francis, reflecting an evolving leadership structure within the Roman Curia.
Continued Push for Women in Vatican Leadership
Smerilli’s promotion continues a broader trend initiated by Pope Francis of placing women in some of the Vatican’s most influential administrative positions.
Her appointment follows other landmark leadership decisions under Pope Leo XIV, including the recent naming of the first woman to head the Dicastery for Communications.
The move underscores the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to broaden opportunities for women in governance while maintaining the Church’s existing institutional framework.
Baggio Brings Global Pastoral and Academic Experience
Before joining the Vatican, Cardinal Baggio spent years teaching in Argentina, Brazil, the Philippines, and Italy.
He was appointed an archbishop and elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis in late 2024 after years of service within the human development dicastery.
In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Baggio is also known as a composer of sacred and liturgical music.
Cardinal Michael Czerny Concludes Years of Service
The leadership transition comes as Cardinal Michael Czerny prepares to retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 80 next month.
Czerny has played a central role in the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development since its establishment, initially overseeing its migrants and refugees section before becoming prefect in 2022.
The Canadian Jesuit, originally born in what was then Czechoslovakia, has spent decades serving the Church in Rome and previously worked closely with Cardinal Peter Turkson before assuming greater responsibilities within the Vatican.
He was created a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019.
Vatican Also Appoints New Secretary
The pope also announced the appointment of Slovak priest Father Jozef Barlaš as secretary of the dicastery.
Barlaš has served as undersecretary since late 2025 and holds a doctorate in canon law.
Earlier in his Vatican career, he worked in the Secretariat of State between 2020 and 2022.
New Leadership Takes Office in September
Sister Alessandra Smerilli, Cardinal Fabio Baggio, and Father Jozef Barlaš are all scheduled to officially assume their new responsibilities on September 1.
The appointments represent one of Pope Leo XIV’s most significant administrative reshuffles to date and signal the continuation of reforms aimed at strengthening expertise, collaboration, and broader participation within the Vatican’s governing institutions.
