Pope Leo XIV has appointed Maria Montserrat Alvarado, the current President and Chief Operating Officer of EWTN News, as the new Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication. The appointment will take effect on November 1, 2026, and is seen as a continuation of the reform and renewal of the Roman Curia initiated by his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Born in Mexico City, Maria Montserrat Alvarado holds academic degrees from Florida International University and George Washington University. Between 2009 and 2023, she held several leadership positions at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, where she was actively involved in initiatives promoting religious freedom and the dignity of the human person.
Alvarado currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of EWTN News, the news division of the Eternal Word Television Network. In this role, she oversees international media platforms that produce content in seven languages across television, radio, print, digital, and social media.
Her appointment marks a historic milestone, making her the first laywoman and non-religious woman to serve as Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication. The decision reflects the Holy Father’s commitment to the vision of greater participation of lay faithful—both men and women—in leadership positions within the universal Church, a reform strongly encouraged during the pontificate of Pope Francis.
The Dicastery for Communication oversees the Holy See’s communication network, including Vatican News, Vatican Radio, L’Osservatore Romano, Vatican Media’s photo, audio, and video services, the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican Publishing House, the Vatican Printing Press, and the Filmoteca Vaticana. The dicastery also promotes the theological and pastoral dimensions of the Church’s communication mission in the modern world.
Alvarado succeeds Paolo Ruffini, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2018 as the first lay prefect of a dicastery within the Roman Curia. Ruffini is expected to retire upon reaching the age of 70 in October 2026.
Responding to the announcement of her appointment, Alvarado expressed gratitude and a readiness to serve.
“While this appointment was unexpected, I receive it with a sincere desire to serve the Holy Father as he begins his pontificate,” she said. “I am grateful to Paolo Ruffini for his leadership over these past years and look forward to continuing, in friendship and hope, the important work of strengthening the dicastery so that it may continue to serve the Church in Rome and throughout the world in communicating Christ to humanity.”
In a letter addressed to the staff of the Dicastery for Communication, Paolo Ruffini reflected on the mission of the institution and the transition ahead.
“The Dicastery has embedded in its very DNA the duty to remain constantly attuned to the rapidly changing world of communications,” he wrote. “From the moment we were established, our guiding principle has been never to stop moving forward, to pass the baton while continuing to run.”
Ruffini noted that, having reached the retirement age of 70, he would hand over leadership to Alvarado and work closely with her during the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.
“We know each other well, and in the coming months we will work closely together in the spirit of communion that unites us in the Church,” he said. “I am grateful to the entire family of the Dicastery for the journey we have shared over these eight years. We are now beginning a process that will help the Dicastery continue to grow in service to the Holy Father and in its mission of communication rooted in unity and openness.”
Also commenting on the appointment, Michael P. Warsaw, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of EWTN, praised Alvarado’s leadership and dedication.
“Maria has earned the trust and respect of everyone privileged to work alongside her during her years with the network,” he said. “We offer her our prayers, encouragement, and the full support of the EWTN family as she begins this important mission in service to Pope Leo XIV and his pontificate.”
The appointment represents another significant step in the ongoing renewal of Church governance and highlights the growing role of lay leaders in the life and mission of the Catholic Church.
Anita Aryeh
DEPSOCOM, Accra
