Pope Leo XIV makes his first major appointment of a woman to a senior Holy See role by naming Italian Sister Alessandra Smerilli to head the Vatican dicastery responsible for migrants, the environment and development. Multiple outlets report that Smerilli is an economist and currently serves as the No. 2 figure in the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. In her new position as prefect, she replaces Cardinal Michael Czerny, who is retiring soon and is said to be turning 80. Several reports also describe how the pope structures the leadership of the office, including the appointment of Cardinal Fabio Baggio as a “pro-prefect,” alongside Smerilli’s prefectship. At least one outlet notes this move aligns with an approach associated with Pope Francis, who elevated women to prominent management roles in the Holy See in response to calls for greater decision-making authority. The appointment is framed as Pope Leo XIV’s initial significant step in appointing a woman to the hierarchy of the Holy See.