Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, makes history by becoming the first woman to be appointed as a prefect of a Vatican ministry. This symbolic decision raises questions about the real role of women in the Catholic Church.
A historic apppointment: a milestone for women
Pope Francis has made an unprecedented move in the two-millennia history of the Catholic Church by appointing Sister Simona Brambilla to lead the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This position, often compared to a ministry in the Vatican’s government, oversees religious orders and congregations.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, was confirmed as a “first” by a Vatican official. However, despite its historic nature, the Holy See continues to refrain from feminizing the title, signaling a limitation in the symbolic recognition of women’s roles.
Sister Simona Brambilla, 59, is a former nurse who served as a missionary in Mozambique. She had already held the position of second-in-command in the same dicastery since October 2023. “She is considered moderate and conciliatory, with a respectable experience,” notes Franca Giansoldati.
A role under scrutiny: the dual appointment
However, Sister Brambilla’s appointment is accompanied by controversy. Pope Francis has also named Spanish Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime as the “pro-prefect” of the same dicastery. The Vatican has not clarified the exact responsibilities of this role, leaving doubts about the true power that has been granted to Sister Brambilla.
Traditionally, the term “pro-prefect” refers to someone who is expected to become a prefect in the future. This dual appointment has raised questions among experts and advocates calling for greater recognition of women within the Church.
“Those who advocate for a greater role for women in the Church are ‘perplexed’ by this dual appointment, concerned that the cardinal will hold the real power, leaving Sister Brambilla with a merely symbolic role,” says Franca Giansoldati, Vatican correspondent for Il Messaggero.
The weight of patriarchy in the Church
The Catholic Church remains heavily influenced by a patriarchal system. Although women outnumber men in religious life—559,228 women versus 128,559 men, according to 2024 statistics—they are excluded from priestly functions.
The debate over the ordination of women remains deeply divisive. The 2024 Synod acknowledged the lack of visibility of women in Church administration. While the final document affirmed that “women and men have equal dignity as members of the People of God,” it also noted that women “face obstacles to greater recognition.”
This issue is especially divisive in conservative circles. Many organizations in Europe and North America decry a system that marginalizes women despite their central role in parish life.
A modest step forward for women in the Church
Since the election of Pope Francis in 2013, the proportion of women holding administrative roles in the Vatican has risen from 19.2% to 23.4%. Some women have achieved prominent positions, such as Barbara Jatta, appointed director of the Vatican Museums in 2016, and Raffaella Petrini, Secretary General of the Governorate.
Despite these advancements, criticism persists. The dual appointment of Sister Brambilla and Cardinal Fernandez Artime highlights the Vatican’s reluctance to fully entrust executive responsibilities to women.
While this appointment is a strong symbol, it also exposes the limits of the Vatican’s commitment to gender equality. Pope Francis may have opened the door to greater female representation, but their roles often remain confined to subordinate positions.
For many activists, the next step is to bring the question of women’s ordination back to the table—a topic left unresolved at the last synod. Such progress will require both political and spiritual will to overcome the internal resistance within the institution.