Card stack
Pope introduces new communications chief who shows a more informal approach
Compiled Nov 6
What happened
Pope Leo XIV introduced María Montserrat Alvarado as the Vatican's new communications chief
The detail
Alvarado took over as prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communications on Nov. 1, succeeding Paolo Ruffini
The detail
She is the first woman to lead the office
The detail
Alvarado previously led EWTN News, the Washington, D.C.-based Catholic broadcasting empire, since 2023
How it unfolded
2021: Alvarado joined EWTN as a news anchor after working at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty · since 2023: Alvarado led EWTN News before her Vatican appointment · the previous week: The Vatican foreign minister said Pope Leo would eventually visit Mexico · Nov. 1: Alvarado took over as prefect of the Dicastery for Communications, succeeding Paolo Ruffini · this week: Alvarado held her inaugural press conference alongside Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni · Friday: Pope Leo XIV introduced Alvarado to reporters aboard the papal plane, praising her experience and creativity
By the numbers
Nov. 1 date · 2023 year · 2021 year · seven languages · three-nation tour