The name of Sr. Alessandra Smerilli has begun to gain strong traction in Vatican circles as a possible new prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Although the Holy See has not confirmed any change, the Italian portal Messa in Latino, citing sources it describes as “very reliable,” claims that the appointment of the Salesian religious has already been approved by a signed decree, even though it has not yet been officially announced by the Holy See.
Should the information be confirmed, Sr. Alessandra Smerilli would move from secretary to prefect of the dicastery in which she has been working for years. A member of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, an economist and university professor, she already made history in 2021 by becoming the first woman appointed by Pope Francis as secretary of a dicastery of the Holy See, after previously serving as undersecretary of the same body. Her eventual promotion would mark another step in the growing presence of women in high-responsibility positions within the Roman Curia.
According to the same information, Cardinal Fabio Baggio, currently undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, would assume a new role as pro-prefect or secretary. This detail has likewise not been confirmed by the Holy See Press Office.
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is one of the most important bodies of the Roman Curia. Its responsibilities include the promotion of justice and peace, care for migrants and refugees, health pastoral care, integral ecology, and human development. If the appointment is ultimately confirmed, Sr. Alessandra Smerilli would become the first woman to hold the prefecture of this dicastery, consolidating the path begun with her historic appointment as secretary four years ago.