A Seat at the Table: Pope Francis' Efforts to Elevate Women's Roles in the Catholic Church

Under the leadership of Pope Francis, significant strides have been made toward elevating the role of women in the Catholic Church, challenging long-standing norms and advocating for greater representation and involvement.

Understanding the critical insights and contributions women can offer, Pope Francis had actively sought to elevate their status in church governance and administration.

A Vision for Inclusivity: 

Pope Francis had consistently emphasized the importance of inclusivity within the Church. His approach had involved embracing the voices of marginalized groups, particularly women, who have historically been underrepresented in decision-making roles. The pontiff’s commitment to gender equality reflected a broader acknowledgment of the essential roles women play in nurturing spiritual life and church communities.

Significant Appointments of Women:

Under Pope Francis, women gained unprecedented access to leadership positions within the Vatican's hierarchy. Some of the noteworthy appointments include:

1. Sister Nathalie Becquart -

In 2020, Sister Nathalie Becquart made history as the first woman appointed as an undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops. This role allowed her to contribute to discussions around synodal processes, highlighting the need for female representation in synodal governance.

2. Francesca Di Giovanni -

Also appointed in 2020, Francesca Di Giovanni became the first woman to hold a high-ranking position in the Vatican's Secretariat of State as undersecretary for multilateral affairs. Her involvement marked a significant step in the Church's engagement in diplomatic relations and international affairs.

3. Alessandra Smerilli -

In 2021, Sister Alessandra Smerilli was appointed secretary of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. This position empowers her to influence policies related to social justice, environmental sustainability, and development in line with the Church's mission to address contemporary issues.

4. Simona Brambilla -

Pope Francis appointed Sr. Simona Brambilla , in the first week of January 2025, an Italian-born religious sister from the Consolata Missionaries, as Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, along with Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime as Pro-Prefect.

5. Raffaele Petrini -

Pope Francis appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini as the new President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State. Sister Petrini, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, has served as Secretary General of the Governorate since 2021. With this appointment, she becomes the first woman to hold the highest leadership position within the Vatican’s administrative structure.

In her new role, she oversees the governance of Vatican City, managing its daily operations and policies in accordance with the directives of the Holy See. The Governorate is responsible for various aspects of Vatican City's administration, including security, infrastructure, and cultural heritage.

6. Sr. Nuria Calduch-Benages -

On 9 March 2021, Pope Francis appointed Spanish biblical scholar, Sr. Nuria Calduch-Benages, as secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

7. Dr Francesca Di Giovanni -

Pope Francis had appointed Dr Francesca Di Giovanni in 2020, as under-secretary for the Section for Relations with States.

8. Barbara Jatta -

Barbara Jatta, the First Woman to Head the Vatican Museums appointed by Pope Francis in 2016.

9. Dr. Gabriella Gambino and Dr. Linda Ghisoni -

Pope Francis appointed two lay women – Dr Gabriella Gambino and Dr. Linda Ghisoni experts in bioethics and canon law – as the first two undersecretaries of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.

10. Paloma García Ovejero -

The first woman to hold the position of deputy director of the Vatican's Press Office was Paloma García Ovejero

Women have also begun assuming crucial roles within the Church’s financial governance structures: Pope Francis named six women to the high-level group that oversees the Vatican's finances .

For the first time ever, Pope Francis also appointed three women in 2022 to the Vatican office that selects bishops.

Theological and Pastoral Contributions:

Pope Francis not only focused on administrative roles but also encouraged women's participation in theological discussions and pastoral care. Efforts such as studying the possibility of women serving as deacons signal a potential shift in the Church's approach to women in ministry.

Pope Francis’ reforms regarding women's roles extended beyond Vatican walls, impacting the global discourse on gender equality in religious organizations. By appointing women to leadership positions, Pope Francis emphasized that the church must adapt to contemporary society's evolving values concerning gender equality.

Since the beginning of Pope Francis's pontificate, the presence of women in the Vatican had marginally increased. A pathway outlined by the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium of 2022, the Pope made it possible for laypeople, including women, to lead a Dicastery and become Prefect, a role previously reserved for Cardinals and Archbishops.

Pope Francis initiated transformative reforms that have significantly elevated women's roles within the Vatican—creating an environment conducive to their participation in ecclesiastical governance. The recent appointments of leaders like Simona Brambilla and notable collaborations with men like Raffaele Petrini exemplify a commitment to inclusivity and partnership. As these reforms unfold, they hold tremendous potential to reshape the Church's future, reinforcing the notion that women's voices and leadership are vital to the Church's mission and vitality. In moving toward a more inclusive Church, Pope Francis was not just changing the hierarchy; he was helping redefine what it means to be a member of the Catholic faith in the modern world.

By Fr Suresh Mathew