First laywoman to head Vatican ministry: U.S. executive Maria Montserrat Alvarado starting role this week

A new Vatican communications chief

Alvarado becomes head of Vatican communications this week. Her appointment makes her the first laywoman to lead a Vatican “ministry.” Analysts see the choice as significant because senior Vatican roles for women have tended to go to nuns. They say the appointment suggests Pope Leo views women differently from his predecessors.

A career in Catholic media

Since 2023, Alvarado has served as president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, the news division of the Eternal Word Television Network. The network is the largest Catholic television network in the United States and was founded by a nun.

At EWTN News, Alvarado oversaw international platforms producing material in seven languages across television, print, radio, digital media and social networks. She said in an interview with EWTN News that she did not apply through a standard process, adding, “I wasn’t chosen” that way.

Background and reaction

Lucetta Scaraffia, founder of the Vatican women’s magazine Women Church World and a history professor at Rome’s La Sapienza University, said Alvarado was selected for her abilities. Scaraffia described her as an accomplished communications manager who built her career herself, and said the choice points to a different papal attitude toward women.