Pope Leo XIV appointed Maria Montserrat Alvarado as the new Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, making her the first laywoman to lead a Vatican department. Alvarado, a 39-year-old U.S. media executive and former president of EWTN News, succeeds Paolo Ruffini in the role effective November 1, 2026.
The Dicastery for Communication was established by Pope Francis in 2015 as part of a reform of the Roman Curia, the administrative apparatus of the Holy See. Alvarado is the first non-Italian and the first non-religious woman to serve as a prefect, a title equivalent to a ministry head. Her predecessor, Ruffini, was the first layperson to hold such a position when he was appointed in 2018.
Alvarado previously served as the president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, the news division of the Eternal Word Television Network. Prior to that, she spent 14 years at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Born in Mexico City, she grew up in the United States and earned degrees from Florida International University and George Washington University. In a June 2026 interview with EWTN, Alvarado stated that the appointment was unexpected and that she had not gone through a standard application process.
For ordinary Catholics and observers, the change represents a shift in the background of the people managing the Pope’s public messaging. Alvarado’s background at EWTN is notable because the network previously had a strained relationship with Pope Francis, who in 2021 criticized a "major Catholic television channel" for its frequent opposition to his leadership. Analysts noted that Alvarado’s tenure at EWTN was marked by a shift toward a more moderate tone, and her new role places her at the center of the Vatican’s efforts to communicate theological and pastoral activity to the world.
The transition officially begins as Ruffini reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70. Following the announcement in June 2026, Alvarado and Ruffini planned to work closely together to ensure a smooth transition of duties. Alvarado’s leadership is expected to bring a more international perspective to a department traditionally led by Italian clergy. Her term officially commenced on November 1, 2026, marking a new phase in the administrative reforms initiated by the previous pontificate to include more laypeople and women in senior Vatican governance.