On Tuesday (2), Pope Leo
O Pope Leo XIV appointed on Tuesday (2) the media executive Maria Montserrat Alvarado as Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication. She is the first non-religious woman a occupy a position in the Roman Curia.
From November 1, 2026, Alvarado will be responsible for the , comprised of Vatican News, Vatican Radio, L’Osservatore Romano, Vatican Media, Press Room, Livraria Editora Vaticana, Tipografia Vaticana and Filmoteca Vaticana. Established by Pope Francis on June 27, 2015, the dicastery has operational and technological functions and it is responsible for deepening and developing theological and pastoral themes of the Catholic Church in the field of communication.
Alvarado will succeed Paolo Ruffini. He was appointed in 2018 by Pope Francis. It was the first non-religious mayor of a department of the Roman Curia.
Born in Mexico City, Alvarado is degree from Florida International University and George Washington University. Both two United States. From 2009 to 2023, worked at the Becket Fund for Religious Freedomwhere he dedicated himself to programs defending religious freedom and promoting human dignity. Since 2023, it was president and operational director of the news division of the Eternal World Television Network, the EWTN News.
Alvarado’s appointment gives continuity of the process of reform and renewal of the Roman Curia initiated by Pope Francis. In this way, the pontiff and his successor, Pope Leo XIV, have entrusted to non-religious men and women leadership roles in the Vatican’s top administration.
