Pope Francis has appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini as president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and president of the Governorate of Vatican City State. 

As announced by the Holy See Press Office, Petrini will begin her new roles on March 1, succeeding Cardinal Fernando Vérgez in both positions. 

Petrini, who has served as secretary-general of the Governorate since November 2021, brings extensive academic and administrative experience to her new role. Born in Rome on January 15, 1969, she holds a degree in political science and a doctorate from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelicum, where she is also a professor. 

Prior to her appointment to the Governorate, Petrini worked at the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples from 2005 to 2021. 

This appointment follows Pope Francis' recent selection of Sister Simona Brambilla as prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, continuing a trend of women being appointed to senior leadership roles in the Vatican. 

Adapted by Jacob Stein

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