Pope Francis Takes Reform Steps... Appoints Six Women to Key Positions in the Secretariat for the Economy

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Pope Francis has appointed six women to key positions in the Secretariat for the Economy, which oversees the Vatican's financial and administrative affairs. This move is seen as a step toward reforming the male-dominated Vatican, emphasizing the important role women should play in decision-making processes within the Catholic Church.

According to the Guardian and other sources on the 6th (local time), Pope Francis announced the appointment of 13 new members to the Secretariat for the Economy. Among them, six were women from European countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and Italy. The newly appointed female members all have extensive experience in finance and fiscal management.

The Secretariat for the Economy was established by Pope Francis in 2014 to enhance professionalism and transparency in financial operations. Since it holds authority over annual budget management, personnel, and administration, its members occupy some of the highest positions within the Vatican. The Secretariat is composed of 15 members in total, including eight senior clergy and seven financial experts, and until now, all members had been men.

Joshua McElwee, a correspondent for the American Catholic media outlet National Catholic Reporter, told the Guardian, "Six is quite a significant number," adding, "What is important here is that six women have joined the group overseeing the Vatican's entire financial activities, and it is certainly a fairly high position." The Guardian reported that this announcement comes as the Vatican faces financial difficulties due to reduced revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pope Francis has been taking measures this year to reform the male-dominated Vatican bureaucracy. In January, he appointed Francesca Di Giovanni, born in Italy, as the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs in the Secretariat of State, a key part of the bureaucracy. This was the first time a woman was appointed to a senior position above the level of undersecretary in the Secretariat of State in Vatican history. In 2016, Pope Francis emphasized the need for modernization of the Vatican, stating, "We need to increase appointments of capable laypeople and women to senior positions."

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