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Pope Leo Names Laywoman Alvarado Vatican Communications Prefect

6/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Pope Leo XIV appointed laywoman Maria Montserrat Alvarado as prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery of Communications, a woman and non-clergy appointment.
Alvarado replaces Paolo Ruffini as prefect, overseeing Vatican television, radio, online, publishing and newspaper operations.
She serves as president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, the largest Catholic media network publishing in seven languages.
Pope Leo announced a meeting of cardinals to review ecclesial communication from a missionary perspective.

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Story summary

Pope Leo XIV appointed laywoman Maria Montserrat Alvarado as prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery of Communications, a woman and non-clergy appointment.
Alvarado replaces Paolo Ruffini as prefect, overseeing Vatican television, radio, online, publishing and newspaper operations.
She serves as president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, the largest Catholic media network publishing in seven languages.
Pope Leo announced a meeting of cardinals to review ecclesial communication from a missionary perspective.