Maria Montserrat Alvarado Named First Woman to Lead Vatican Communications
Historic Appointment in Vatican Communications
By Joshua McElwee
Pope Leo's Groundbreaking Decision
VATICAN CITY, June 2 (Reuters) - Pope Leo named an executive with U.S. Catholic media conglomerate EWTN as the new head of the Vatican's communications department on Tuesday, in the first appointment of a woman to the senior Church role.
About Maria Montserrat Alvarado
Maria Montserrat Alvarado, originally from Mexico City, will lead the Vatican's Dicastery for Communications, a sprawling operation that oversees the Vatican's news portal, radio station, newspaper and press office, among other entities.
Professional Background and Transition
Alvarado, president and chief operating officer of EWTN News since 2023, will replace Paolo Ruffini, who has been in the role since 2018 and is retiring. She will start her duties in November, said a statement.
The EWTN Media Empire
The Eternal Word Television Network was launched by a nun named Mother Angelica in 1981, but has grown into a global media conglomerate with nearly a dozen TV stations, a book publishing division, a newspaper and radio affiliate.
EWTN's Influence and Political Connections
The station often appeals to conservative U.S. Catholics. President Donald Trump has appeared on the network several times and one of its top hosts is a Fox News contributor.
Relationship with the Vatican
The network was an occasional critic of the late Pope Francis, who complained about it "bad-mouthing" him.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Alex Richardson)
