Now official: Woman becomes head of government in Vatican City State

Raffaella Petrini (56) has been appointed head of government in the Vatican City State by Pope Francis. The appointment, which comes into effect on 1 March, was announced by the Vatican press office on Saturday. Pope Francis has been in the Gemelli Clinic in Rome since Friday due to illness, from where he is continuing his official duties.

Born in Rome, the nun holds a doctorate in social sciences and studied at the University of Hartford in the US state of Connecticut, among others. She has already been Secretary General and Deputy Head of Government of the "Governorate" of Vatican City since 2021. Her predecessor, the Spanish Curia Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, will reach the age limit of 80 on 1 March. Pope Francis had already announced Petrini's appointment a few weeks ago when he appeared as a guest on an Italian television talk show.

As head of government of the Vatican State, Vérgez Alzaga was also a member of the Commission of Cardinals known as "K9", which advises the Pope on matters of church reform. The Vatican has so far left open whether the new head of government will be the first woman to be a member of this important body. (mal/KNA)