Pope Leo XIV has announced a series of appointments aimed at strengthening the leadership and operational effectiveness of the Roman Curia, the central administrative body of the Catholic Church. The appointments affect key Vatican dicasteries responsible for canon law, charitable activities, and evangelization efforts worldwide.
Among the notable changes, Bishop Marco Mellino has been appointed Secretary of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, the Vatican department responsible for promoting and ensuring the proper application of canon law in both the Latin and Eastern Catholic Churches. Prior to this appointment, Bishop Mellino served as Adjunct Secretary of the same dicastery and has held several important roles within the Vatican, including service in the Secretariat of State and the Council of Cardinals.
The Holy Father has also appointed Father Lucio Adrián Ruiz as Secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, which oversees charitable initiatives carried out in the name of the Pope. Father Ruiz previously served as Secretary of the Dicastery for Communication and is widely recognized for his expertise in communications, information technology, and pastoral leadership.
In a related appointment, Massimo Ralli, a lay official already serving within the charity dicastery, has been named Undersecretary of the department. Both Ralli and Ruiz are expected to assume their new responsibilities on 1 September 2026.
The role of secretary is considered the second-highest position within a Vatican dicastery, supporting the prefect and overseeing the day-to-day management, coordination, and implementation of the department’s work. These latest appointments continue Pope Leo XIV’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the governance and administration of the Holy See.
In recent months, the Pope has also introduced broader leadership changes across the Vatican. These include the appointment of new prefects to several dicasteries, as well as the selection of women to lead major Vatican departments. Most recently, Salesian Sister Alessandra Smerilli was named Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, while María Montserrat Alvarado was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication.
The Holy Father further expanded the leadership of the Dicastery for Evangelization by naming new members and consultors from across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The appointments reflect the global character of the Church and reinforce the Vatican’s commitment to advancing its missionary and evangelization efforts throughout the world.
These developments underscore Pope Leo XIV’s continued focus on strengthening Vatican institutions, enhancing administrative efficiency, and ensuring that the Church’s pastoral, charitable, and evangelization missions remain effective in responding to contemporary challenges.
Source: EWTN News.
