Photo: Vatican Media
Appointment of the Prefect, Pro-Prefect and Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
His Holiness Leo XIV has appointed Reverend Sister Alessandra Smerilli, F.M.A., hitherto Secretary of the same Dicastery, as Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Reverend Sister Smerilli will assume office on 1 September 2026.
The Holy Father has also appointed His Eminence Cardinal Fabio Baggio, C.S., hitherto Under-Secretary of the same Dicastery, as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with special responsibility for the Laudato si’ Centre for Higher Education. The Most Eminent Pro-Prefect will assume office on 1 September 2026.
Furthermore, the Roman Pontiff has appointed Reverend Monsignor Jozef Barlaš, hitherto Under-Secretary of the aforementioned Dicastery, as Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Reverend Monsignor Barlaš will assume office on 1 September 2026.
Michael Felix Cardinal Czerny, S.J.
Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
Cardinal-Deacon of San Michele Arcangelo
Motto: Suscipe
Events
| Date | Age | Event | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Jul 1946 | 79.95 | Born | |
| 14 Aug 1964 | 18.0 | Entered | Member of Society of Jesus |
| 9 Jun 1973 | 26.8 | Ordained Priest | Priest of Society of Jesus |
| 14 Dec 2016 | 70.4 | Appointed | Under Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development |
| 1 Jan 2017 | 70.4 | Installed | Under Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development |
| 23 Sep 2019 | 73.1 | Appointed | Titular Archbishop of Beneventum |
| 4 Oct 2019 | 73.2 | Ordained Bishop | Titular Archbishop of Beneventum |
| 5 Oct 2019 | 73.2 | Elevated to Cardinal | |
| 5 Oct 2019 | 73.2 | Appointed | Cardinal-Deacon of San Michele Arcangelo |
| 19 Jan 2020 | 73.5 | Installed | Cardinal-Deacon of San Michele Arcangelo |
| 1 Jan 2022 | 75.4 | Appointed | Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development |
| 23 Apr 2022 | 75.7 | Appointed | Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development |
| 21 Apr 2025 | 78.7 | Ceased | Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development |
| 9 May 2025 | 78.8 | Confirmed | Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development |
| 1 Sep 2026 | 80.1 | Retired | Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development |
|
| Event | Place |
|---|---|
| Birth Place | Brno, Diocese of Brno, Czechia |
| Ordained Priest | Regis, College, Willowdale, Ontario, Archdiocese of Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Ordained Bishop | San Pietro, Basilica, Roma, Diocese of Roma {Rome}, Italy |
Czerny will still be able to cause harm, but now as an emeritus without an official post. Which is not the same.