The appointment marks a major step in Pope Francis' aim to give women more leadership roles in governing the church.

Pope Francis on Monday named the first woman to head a major Vatican office, appointing an Italian nun, Sister Simona Brambilla, to become prefect of the department responsible for all the

Pope Francis has named a nun to head a prominent office at the Vatican, the first time a woman has held that position and the latest example of the pontiff adding more women to leadership roles in

A woman is appointed Vatican prefect by Pope Francis for the first time. He has just appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the new Vatican prefect for consecrated life and societies of apostolic life,

Pope Francis has named the first woman to head a major Vatican office, tapping Sister Simona Brambilla to become prefect of the Vatican department responsible for all the world’s religious orders.