By Vatican News
Vatican City, Feb 15, 2025: Pope Francis on February 15 appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini as the new president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
A statement released by the Holy See Press Office also said the appointment is effective March 1.
Sister Petrini, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, has served as secretary general of the Governorate since 2021. With this appointment, she becomes the first woman to hold the highest leadership position within the Vatican’s administrative structure.
In her new role, she will oversee the governance of Vatican City, managing its daily operations and policies in accordance with the directives of the Holy See. The governorate is responsible for various aspects of Vatican City’s administration, including security, infrastructure, and cultural heritage.
Sister Petrini’s predecessor, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, L.C., served as president since 2021.
Sister Raffaella Petrini as the new president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City is a definitive step in women’s empowerment. It’s not mere tokenism and entails huge responsibility of Vatican City’s administration, including security, infrastructure, and cultural heritage. Let’s hope she lives up to the Pope’s expectation and bring empowerment for nuns from India with reference to M.L. Satyan’s article “Treatment by Clergy – Nuns speak up.”