Sister Smerilli appointed new Prefect of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development

Vatican, June 30, 2026: Pope Leo has appointed a new leadership team for the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, naming Sister Alessandra Smerilli as Prefect, Cardinal Fabio Baggio as Pro-Prefect with particular responsibility for the Laudato si' Higher Education Centre, and Monsignor Jozef Barlaš as Secretary.

The Holy See announced all three appointments on Tuesday. They will come into effect on 1 September 2026.

Sister Alessandra Smerilli, a member of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, has been serving as Secretary of the Dicastery since 2021 and will now assume leadership of the department as Prefect. She succeeds Cardinal Michael Czerny, who has led the Dicastery as Prefect since 2022.

Pope Leo has also appointed Cardinal Fabio Baggio, formerly Under-Secretary of the Dicastery, as Pro-Prefect. In his new position, Cardinal Baggio has been given particular responsibility for the Laudato si' Higher Education Centre, highlighting the Holy See’s ongoing commitment to promoting integral human development inspired by care for creation.

Meanwhile, the Holy Father has named Monsignor Jozef Barlaš, who previously served as Under-Secretary of the Dicastery, as the new Secretary.

These appointments complete the new leadership team of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Vatican department tasked with advancing the Church’s mission in the fields of justice and peace, migration, healthcare, charity, care for creation, and the promotion of human dignity across the world.

Courtesy: Vatican News