U.S. Media Executive Makes History as First Laywoman to Lead Vatican Ministry

POLICY WIRE — Vatican City — — 39-year-old American media professional Maria Montserrat Alvarado is set to take command as the head of Vatican communications this week. Her historic appointment marks her as the very first laywoman to ever lead a Vatican ministry.

The Mexican American executive also breaks tradition as the first non-Italian to manage the massive department. The office is responsible for the Holy See’s entire output across print, radio, and television, alongside the official press office.

Observers suggest the selection of a professional woman for this critical role reflects a shifting perspective under Pope Leo XIV. Historically, senior leadership positions for women within the Vatican were almost exclusively held by nuns.

Even Alvarado herself expressed surprise when the role was first announced back in June. In a conversation with the American Catholic outlet EWTN News, she noted she did not submit a formal application and was not selected through a standard hiring process.

Pope Leo XIV, who was born in the United States, described the move as a direct appointment from himself. Alvarado is widely known by the nickname “Montse.\

Alvarado has served as the president and chief operating officer of EWTN News since 2023. That network, the largest Catholic broadcaster in the States, was established by a nun and serves as a major outlet for conservative Catholics worldwide.

The relationship between EWTN and the Vatican has historically fluctuated. Some programs on the network were known for harsh critiques of Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, whose reform efforts often alienated American conservative factions.

In 2021, Pope Francis criticized the network for its constant deconstruction of his papacy. He stated that while he might personally accept criticism as a sinner, the Church should not be subjected to such attacks, which he labeled the work of the devil.

Alvarado was working as a presenter for the network during that period. Born in Mexico, she moved to the United States as a child, raising in Miami before relocating to Washington for her education.

Prior to her media career, she spent fourteen years at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a legal nonprofit dedicated to protecting religious freedom. During her tenure at EWTN, she managed global platforms producing content in seven different languages across various digital, social, and traditional media.

Alvarado mentioned that a career in communications was not her original plan, stating that her primary ambition was to focus on marriage and raising children. She was previously married but is now divorced, and the marriage has since been annulled by the Church.

She over for 70-year-old Paolo Ruffini, who was appointed by Francis in 2018 and was the first layperson to lead a dicastery.

Lucetta Scaraffia, a history professor at Rome’s La Sapienza and founder of Women Church World, noted that Alvarado was selected for her specific talents and qualities. Scaraffia argued that as a non-Italian, Alvarado will bring a more international perspective and a fresh approach to the role.

Scaraffia further described her as a highly accomplished manager who built her own career, asserting that the move shows a departure from a past where women in high office were obedient nuns rather than those chosen for professional merit.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)