Pope Francis has appointed Simona Brambilla as the first woman to head a major Vatican office. 

On Monday, the pontiff named the Italian nun as prefect of the department responsible for overseeing the Catholic Church’s religious orders globally.  

Ms Brambilla’s groundbreaking appointment has been lauded as a significant step forward for women in the church. 

Anne-Marie Pelletier, a theologian and author, described the move as “something completely new” and a demonstration of the opportunities for women within the church.

“It’s a really important moment,” she said.  

Ms Brambilla, a member of the Consolata Missionary Sisters, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. 

Born in Italy, she served as superior general of her order, focusing on missionary work in underserved regions. 

Her tenure saw efforts to strengthen the role of women in ministry and foster interfaith dialogue in communities where the Consolata missionaries are present.  

As prefect, Ms Brambilla will oversee tens of thousands of religious orders worldwide, addressing issues ranging from governance and spirituality to finances and discipline. 

She will also play a key role in promoting collaboration between male and female religious communities, a priority for Pope Francis’s papacy.  

The appointment aligns with the pope’s broader efforts to increase women’s participation in church leadership. 

In recent years, he has appointed women to senior Vatican roles, including undersecretaries and consultants. 

However, Ms Brambilla’s new position marks the first time a woman has been entrusted with leading a dicastery, a top-tier department within the Vatican hierarchy.

Her appointment is seen as a milestone for the Catholic Church as it continues to navigate debates about women’s roles in leadership.