Since his election to the See of Peter, Pope Francis has been emphasizing the crucial role of women in the Church. In a recent interview with Reuters, the Holy Father announced that two women were appointed to the committee for the first time to elect bishops in the Congregation for Bishops. This move is a part of the Pope’s broader efforts to empower women and create more opportunities for them in the Church.

In addition, the new Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium allows lay people, both men, and women, to take the head of a dicastery, which is a significant development in the Church’s history. Pope Francis has appointed women to several key positions in the Roman Curia, including Sister Raffaella Petrini as the number two in the Vatican City Governorate, Sister Alessandra Smerilli, F.M.A. as the number two in the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, and Sister Nathalie Becquart as the under-secretary of the Synod of Bishop.

Other notable appointments include Barbara Jatta as the first-ever female director of the Vatican Museums, Gabriella Gambino and Linda Ghisoni as undersecretaries in the Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life, and Francesca Di Giovanni as the undersecretary of the Section for Relations with States at the Vatican.

With these appointments, Pope Francis has shown his commitment to advancing women’s roles in the Church and giving them more opportunities for leadership and authority. This is an exciting time for the Church as it continues to evolve and grow under the guidance of a progressive and inclusive Pope.