Vatican city: Pope Leo has appointed Mexican media executive Maria Montserrat Alvarado as prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, marking a significant milestone as she becomes the first non-religious woman to head a dicastery of the Roman Catholic church. Alvarado, currently serving as president and COO of EWTN News, will officially take on her new role on November 1, succeeding Paolo Ruffini.

According to Anadolu Agency, Alvarado has been at the helm of EWTN News since 2023, where she has been responsible for managing international media platforms that produce content in seven languages across various mediums, including television, radio, print, digital, and social media. Prior to her current position, Alvarado held leadership roles at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty from 2009 to 2023, where she concentrated on initiatives related to religious freedom and human dignity.

The Vatican has emphasized that Alvarado's appointment aligns with Pope Leo XIV's ongoing reform efforts, which were initially launched by Pope Francis. These efforts have included increasing the representation of women in leadership positions within the Vatican, thereby reinforcing the church's commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

The Dicastery for Communication, established by Pope Francis in 2015, is tasked with overseeing the Vatican's extensive communications network. This includes Vatican News, Vatican Radio, L'Osservatore Romano newspaper, Vatican Media, the Holy See Press Office, and the Vatican publishing house, among other media services.

In response to her appointment, Alvarado expressed her readiness to serve the Holy Father and contribute to his pontificate, highlighting her commitment to this new chapter in her career.