Pope Leo XIV has chosen Maria Montserrat Alvarado as the new prefect of the Dicastery for Communication. The appointment will come into effect on November 1, 2026when he will pick up the baton from Paolo Ruffini at the helm of the body that coordinates the entire communications system of the Holy See.
The decision is part of the process of reform and renewal of the Roman Curia initiated by Pope Francis, who in recent years has entrusted to lay men and women roles of growing responsibility at the service of the universal Church.
Who is Maria Montserrat Alvarado
Born in Mexico City, Alvarado studied at Florida International University and George Washington University, building his own professional path between the world of the media and that of promoting religious freedom.
From 2009 to 2023 he held managerial positions at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, an organization committed to the defense of religious freedom and human dignity.
Since 2023, he has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of EWTN Newsthe news division of the Eternal Word Television Network. In his role he oversees an international network of media platforms producing content in seven languages across television, radio, print, digital media and social networks.
The first non-religious woman to lead a ministry
The nomination represents a significant stage in the history of the Roman Curia. Alvarado will in fact be the first non-religious woman to be called to lead a dicastery of the Holy See with the role of prefect. This is a choice that confirms the desire to continue the process of opening up and valorising the laity started in recent years, recognizing skills and responsibilities even outside the clergy and consecrated life.
The role of the Dicastery for Communication
Established by Pope Francis on 27 June 2015 as part of the reform of the Roman Curia, the Dicastery for Communication coordinates and supervises all communication activities of the Holy See. Realities like Vatican News, Vatican Radio, L’Osservatore Romano, Vatican Media with its photographic, audio and video services, the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican Publishing Bookshop, the Vatican Printing House and the Vatican Film Library. In addition to the organisational, technological and production aspects, the department is also called upon to develop a pastoral and theological reflection on the role of communication in the evangelizing mission of the Church.
The handover with Paolo Ruffini
Alvarado will succeed Paolo Ruffini, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2018 first lay prefect of a dicastery of the Roman Curia. Ruffini will reach the age of 70 next October, the expected retirement age. Commenting on his appointment, as reported Vatican NewsAlvarado said: «Although this appointment was unexpected, I welcome it with the sincere desire to serve the Holy Father at the beginning of his pontificate. I am grateful to Paolo Ruffini for his guidance in recent years and look forward to continuing, in friendship and hope, the important work to strengthen the Dicastery so that it can continue to serve the Church in Rome and everywhere to communicate Christ to the world”.
Ruffini also wanted to send a message to the employees of the Dicastery for Communication, highlighting the importance of continuing to innovate in an ever-changing sector: «The Dicastery has engraved in its DNA the duty to constantly remain in tune with the rapidly evolving world of communication. From the moment we were born as an institution, our guiding star has been and remains this: to never stop, to pass the baton by continuing to run, to be present here and now, in this precise moment, as a touchstone of a communication that is an instrument of a communion that grows over time. I have entered the final stretch of the race, before the moment when – in the long journey that is our working life – having reached 70, the expected retirement age, I will pass the baton to Montserrat Alvarado as the next prefect. We know each other well. And in the coming months we will work closely together, in the spirit of communion that unites us in the Church.” Ruffini then added: «I am grateful to the large family of the Dicastery for the path we have traveled together in these eight years. We are now starting the process, in the coming months, for a smooth transition, in order to help the Dicastery continue to grow in the service of the Holy Father and in its mission to serve in a spirit of unity and openness.”
Support from the EWTN family
Following the announcement also came a message from Michael P. Warsaw, chairman of the board and CEO of EWTN, who recalled how Alvarado has earned over time “the trust and respect of all those who have had the privilege of working alongside her”.
Warsaw then expressed the station’s support for the future prefect: “We offer her our prayers, our encouragement and the full support of the EWTN family as she undertakes this important mission in the service of Pope Leo XIV and his pontificate.”
