Pope Leo XIV announced the appointment of Maria Montserrat Alvarado as prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication on June 3, 2026, making her the first laywoman to lead a dicastery in the Roman Catholic Church [1].
Alvarado, a Mexican media executive and current president and COO of EWTN News since 2023, brings extensive experience managing international media platforms in multiple languages. She also held leadership roles at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty from 2009 to 2023 [1].
The Dicastery for Communication, established by Pope Francis in 2015, oversees Vatican News, Vatican Radio, L'Osservatore Romano newspaper, Vatican Media, the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican publishing house, and other media services [1]. Paolo Ruffini currently leads the dicastery but will be succeeded by Alvarado on November 1, 2026 [1].
Alvarado said she accepts the role with "a sincere desire to serve the Holy Father as he begins his pontificate" [1]. Pope Leo XIV’s choice continues reforms initiated by Pope Francis to increase female lay leadership in Vatican governance [1].
The appointment highlights the Vatican’s gradual shift towards more diverse leadership in its key communication offices, reflecting broader efforts to update the Church's engagement with media and the faithful.
Maria Montserrat Alvarado will officially take office as prefect of the Dicastery for Communication on November 1, 2026 [1].
