Pope appoints first woman to lead Vatican governorate

Sister Raffaella Petrini (left) attends mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, in this undated photo.

via REUTERS - VATICAN MEDIA

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1 min

This is an important appointment at the Vatican.

Pope Francis appointed, this Thursday, an Italian nun to head the governorate of Vatican City.

A key post in the smallest state in the world which was until now reserved for a bishop. 

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With our correspondent in Rome, 

At 52, Sister Raffaella Petrini is no novice at the Vatican.

For several years this nun of the Franciscan family had worked at the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Born in Rome, doctor of social sciences, Sister Raffaella partly followed her studies in the United States.

For several years she taught Church social doctrine and the sociology of health at a Roman university.

At the head of more than 2,000 employees

Raffaella Petrini becomes the first woman appointed to this post, which until now has always been reserved for a bishop.

Its functions are important: the Governorate of Vatican City oversees the entire internal administration of the smallest state in the world, from the Vatican Museums to personnel management, including the police or the post office.

In total, more than 2,000 employees depend on it.

In recent months, appointing

like the French

to the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis is continuing his policy, in small steps, of feminization of structures in the Vatican. 

► To read also: Pope Francis appoints for the first time a woman secretary of a dicastery

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