He is appointing Sister Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, to become prefect of the Vatican department responsible for all the church's religious orders.

Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla to lead a Vatican department, naming the first woman head of the office that oversees the world's Catholic religious orders and congregations.

Pope Francis on Monday named the first woman to lead a major Vatican department, appointing an Italian sister to take charge of the office that oversees the world's Catholic religious orders.

Pope Francis has named the first woman to head a major Vatican office, tapping Sister Simona Brambilla to become prefect of the Vatican department responsible for all the world’s religious orders. (AP video by Paolo Lucariello,

The appointment marks a major step in Pope Francis’ aim to give women more leadership roles in governing the church.

Pope Francis appointed on Monday an Italian nun as prefect of the Vatican's department responsible for all the Catholic Church's religious orders, making her the first woman to head a major office in the city-state.

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