Pope Leo XIV has confirmed the appointment of Sister Alessandra Smerilli as the new prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, confirming the rumors circulating in Vatican circles about her imminent promotion. The Salesian religious, who until now served as secretary of the same body, will officially assume her new duties on September 1, 2026.
With this decision, Sister Alessandra Smerilli becomes the first woman to lead this dicastery, one of the most important bodies of the Roman Curia, responsible for issues such as the promotion of justice and peace, care for migrants and refugees, health pastoral care, care for creation, and integral human development.
From First Secretary to First Prefect
A religious of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, economist, and university professor, Smerilli had already made history in 2021 when Pope Francis appointed her secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, becoming the first woman to hold the secretariat of a dicastery of the Holy See.
Reorganization of the Dicastery’s Leadership
Along with the appointment of the new prefect, Leo XIV has also reorganized the leadership of the dicastery.
Cardinal Fabio Baggio, until now subsecretary, has been appointed pro-prefect, with specific responsibility for the Laudato si’ Higher Education Center. This is a newly configured position that will allow him to remain linked to the field of integral human development, especially in initiatives related to formation inspired by the encyclical Laudato si’.
Likewise, the Pope has appointed Msgr. Jozef Barlaš as the new secretary of the dicastery, who until now served as subsecretary of the same body.
All three appointments will take effect on September 1, 2026.