Pope Leo Names Laywoman to Head Vatican Communications Dicastery

(MENAFN) Pope Leo has selected Mexican media executive Maria Montserrat Alvarado to lead the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, marking the first time a non-religious woman has been appointed to head a dicastery within the Roman Catholic Church.

The Vatican announced that Alvarado, who currently serves as president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, will take up the position on Nov. 1, replacing Paolo Ruffini.

Since assuming leadership of EWTN News in 2023, Alvarado has overseen a global media operation that produces content in seven languages across television, radio, print, digital platforms and social media. Prior to that role, she spent more than a decade in senior positions at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, where her work focused on religious freedom and initiatives related to human dignity.

According to the Vatican, the appointment reflects Pope Leo XIV’s continuation of reforms introduced by Pope Francis, who expanded the role of women in Vatican administration by placing several lay women in senior leadership positions.

Created by Pope Francis in 2015, the Dicastery for Communication manages the Holy See’s extensive media network. Its responsibilities include oversight of Vatican News, Vatican Radio, L'Osservatore Romano, Vatican Media, the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican publishing house and other communication services.

Alvarado’s appointment represents another milestone in the Vatican’s efforts to broaden participation in leadership roles within the church’s administrative structure.

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