Vatican appoints María Montserrat Alvarado as communications chief

Pope Leo XIV has introduced María Montserrat Alvarado as the new prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communications. Alvarado, a Mexican-American former leader of the EWTN broadcasting network, officially took over the role on November 1, succeeding Paolo Ruffini.

As the first woman to lead the office, Alvarado oversees one of the largest and most expensive departments within the Holy See bureaucracy. The department has historically faced scrutiny regarding its budget, staffing, and a perceived lack of transparency with secular media.

During her inaugural press conference alongside spokesperson Matteo Bruni, Alvarado signaled a more informal and accessible approach. The briefing took place ahead of the Pope’s upcoming three-nation tour of Latin America, which includes a significant visit to Peru, a location central to the Pope’s early ministry.