Pope rules any baptized lay Catholic, including women, can head Vatican departments

[March 19, 2022]   VATICAN CITY, ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis has issued a new constitution for the Vatican's central administration, known as the Curia, stating that any baptized lay Catholic, including women, can head any Vatican department.

Pope Francis looks on during a meeting with the ''Piccolo Coro dell'Antoniano di Bologna'' and ''Cori della Galassia dell'Antoniano'' choirs at the Vatican, March 19, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Most Vatican departments have been headed by male clerics, usually cardinals. The new constitution, called Praedicate Evangelium (Preach the Gospel), took more than nine years to complete. It will take effect on June 5.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

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