CRBC News
Culture
Society
Security
Health
Conflict
Science
Technology
Politics
Environment
Lifestyle
Economy

Pope Francis Revises Vatican Law to Allow Women and Non-Cardinals to Lead Vatican Administration

Pope Francis has amended the Fundamental Law of Vatican City to allow women and non‑cardinals to serve as president of the Pontifical Commission, resolving a legal inconsistency that affected the recent appointment of Sister Raffaella Petrini as secretary‑general. Petrini, 52, now oversees the Vatican's museums, post office, budgets, health services and police. The change reworded Article 8.1 to permit "other members, including the President," to be lay men and women; the motu proprio took immediate effect.

02:43 AM, 11/22/2025Politics
Pope Francis Revises Vatican Law to Allow Women and Non-Cardinals to Lead Vatican Administration

Pope Francis has revised the Fundamental Law of Vatican City to permit women and laypeople who are not cardinals to serve as the head of the Vatican City administration. The change follows his recent appointment of Italian Sister Raffaella Petrini, 52, as secretary‑general of the Vatican Governorate.

As secretary‑general, Sister Raffaella Petrini oversees day‑to‑day administrative functions including the Vatican Museums, the post office, budgeting and financial matters, health services and the Vatican police. Her nomination encountered a legal inconsistency because the previous wording of the law suggested that the commission’s president should be a cardinal.

What changed

To resolve that discrepancy, Pope Francis issued a motu proprio that amends Article 8, number 1, of the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State. The previous text read:

"The Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State is composed of Cardinals, including the President, and of other members appointed by the Supreme Pontiff for a five‑year term."

The revised text now reads:

"The Pontifical Commission is composed of Cardinals and of other members, including the President, appointed by the Supreme Pontiff for a five‑year term."

Under the new wording, "other members"—including lay men and women—may serve as the commission’s president. This removes the procedural obstacle that had prevented Sister Petrini from participating in certain cardinals‑only sessions, such as those where the Vatican’s economic report is delivered.

Pope Francis explained that the amendment reflects a "form of shared responsibility" and aims to consolidate governance solutions suited to increasingly complex administrative needs. The motu proprio was signed midweek, published on Friday, and took effect immediately.

Similar Articles

Trending