Excerpt From NEWS FROM THE VATICAN 19 JANUARY 2025 (vaticannews.va)
Congratulations, prayers and best wishes to Sr. Raffaella Petrini, FSE – this is now public so you may feel free to share.
Pope Francis: A woman will head the Vatican Governatorate
Pope Francis grants an interview to Fabio Fazio for Italian TV channel Nove’s Che tempo che fa, announcing that Sr. Raffaella Petrini will be appointed in March to head the Governatorate of Vatican City State. He also addresses a question about rumors of the new Trump administration’s plans for deporting migrants: If this happens, it would be a disgrace; the poorest should not be made to pay for the imbalances of society.
By Salvatore Cernuzio
Sister Raffaella Petrini, currently Secretary General, will head the Governatorate of the Vatican City State starting in March. The appointment will follow the retirement of Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga from his role as President of the Governatorate.
In an interview with Fabio Fazio for Italian TV channel Nove’s Che tempo che fa program, which aired on Sunday evening, Pope Francis announced the news of his intention to appoint Sr. Petrini as President.
He also expressed sorrow over the prospect of mass deportations of migrants in the United States, joy at the truce in Gaza, and his hope for a two-State solution.
The Pope discussed welcoming migrants, the ongoing Jubilee, his decision to open a Holy Door in a prison in Rome, efforts to combat abuse, and his personal health.
Pope Francis had previously granted an interview to Che tempo che fa in 2022 and another in 2024.
Sunday’s new hour-long conversation also served as an opportunity to present his autobiography, Hope, curated by journalist Carlo Musso, published by Mondadori, and available in 100 countries.
He described the work of writing his autobiography as “very delicate,” comprising numerous stories that “convey a sense of who I am.”
Sister Petrini to head Vatican Governatorate
Pope Francis reassured viewers about the condition of his arm following Thursday’s bruise, saying, “It’s moving better.”
He then announced that, starting in March, Sister Raffaella Petrini will become President of the Vatican Governatorate.
This marks another significant appointment of a woman to a prominent role, following Sr. Simona Brambilla’s appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life.
“The work of women in the Curia has progressed slowly but effectively. Now, we have many,” the Pope noted.
Listing roles assigned to women in the Vatican, he added: “At the Governatorate, the Secretary General, who will become President in March, is a nun… Women manage better than we do,” he remarked.
