Vatican New Head of Communications Is A Woman

Pope Leo XIV has broken with precedent.

Mexican-American Maria Montserrat Alvarado, has been named as Head of Vatican Communications. It makes her the first woman to hold the role in the institution's history.

Alvarado, comes from a strong background in the media having served as president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, the world's largest Catholic broadcaster, which reaches more than 400 million households across 160 countries.

Under her leadership at EWTN, the network operated 11 global television channels, multiple radio services across SiriusXM, iHeartRadio and more than 600 affiliates, plus one of the most-visited Catholic web platforms in the United States.

She begins her new role on November 1, 2026 replacing Italian Paolo Ruffini, who has held the role since 2018.

The decision came as a surprise inside the Vatican as well. Under Pope Francis senior Vatican posts were opened to non-church employees. Pope Leo XIV has now acted on that opening, with the appointment of Alvarado in one of the institution's most visible roles.