With a Motu Proprio, Pope Leo XIV has abrogated Article 8 n. 1 of the earlier Elementary Legislation of Vatican Metropolis State, which had allowed solely cardinals to function president of the Fee, a place presently held by Sister Raffaella Petrini. The Pope, due to this fact, consolidates a change wished by Francis and resolves a difficulty that had emerged resulting from more and more “complicated and urgent” governance wants.
By Salvatore Cernuzio
Not solely cardinals but in addition “different members” could function president of the Pontifical Fee for Vatican Metropolis State, and due to this fact laymen or ladies as properly. That is established by a Motu Proprio of Pope Leo XIV, printed on Friday, 21 November, which abrogates Article 8 n. 1, of the Elementary Legislation promulgated in June 2023, in mild of governance wants which have develop into “more and more complicated and urgent.”
Since 1 March 2025, by the need of Pope Francis, a spiritual sister, Sr Raffaella Petrini, has served as president of the Pontifical Fee of Vatican Metropolis State and of the Governorate. She is the primary girl to carry this twin position, which incorporates the train of legislative and administrative authority inside Vatican Metropolis State.
The brand new article
The Holy See Press Workplace’s bulletin of 25 February 2025, regarding the appointment of the Secretary Generals of the Governorate, had already clarified that Pope Francis had modified the Elementary Legislation of Vatican Metropolis State. At this time’s publication of the Motu Proprio of Leo XIV due to this fact consolidates the change launched by his predecessor.
Extra particularly, Article 8 n. 1, of the Elementary Legislation beforehand said: “The Pontifical Fee consists of Cardinals, together with the President, and of different members, appointed by the Supreme Pontiff for a five-year time period.” Within the Motu Proprio printed right this moment, the article in query is abrogated and changed with: “The Pontifical Fee for Vatican Metropolis State consists of Cardinals and different members, together with the President, appointed by the Supreme Pontiff for a five-year time period.”
This modification opens the likelihood that “different members” who aren’t cardinals—resembling laymen and ladies—could lead the Fee.
The Pope’s resolution
Pope Leo explains his resolution within the apostolic letter, stating that: “The Governorate known as to contribute, by way of its personal construction, to the mission correct to Vatican Metropolis State, finishing up this job in service to the Successor of Peter, to whom it responds immediately.”
In fulfilling this “demanding job,” the Governorate workouts “a type of co-responsibility throughout the communio, which,” the Pope emphasises, “is among the ideas guiding the service of the Roman Curia, as desired by Pope Francis and established within the apostolic structure Praedicate Evangelium of 19 March 2022, and relevant additionally to Vatican Metropolis State.”
This “type of shared duty” due to this fact makes “well timed the consolidation of sure options developed so far in response to governance wants which can be proving more and more complicated and urgent.”
The Motu Proprio, signed on 19 November however printed right this moment, enters into drive instantly.
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