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In a significant appointment within the Roman Curia, Pope Leo XIV has named Sister Tiziana Merletti as the secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This marks his first top-level appointment since assuming office.
Sister Merletti is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor and succeeds Consolata Missionary Sister Simona Brambilla. Earlier this year, Pope Francis appointed Sister Brambilla as prefect of the dicastery, making her the first woman to lead a Vatican dicastery.
The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) expressed gratitude to Pope Leo and congratulated Sister Merletti on her new role. The announcement was made by the Vatican on May 22. The UISG highlighted her involvement in their canon law council and in the Commission for Safeguarding, which operates under both men's and women's unions of superiors. They stated, “Her contributions are a gift to our global network, promoting justice, care and integrity in consecrated life.” They further assured her of their prayers as she undertakes this responsibility globally.
The dicastery's mission is outlined in an apostolic constitution concerning its role in promoting evangelical counsels within approved forms of consecrated life across the Latin Church.
Vatican statistics indicate there are approximately 600,000 professed women religious within the Catholic Church. Additionally, there are about 128,500 religious-order priests and nearly 50,000 religious brothers.
Born in Pineto, Italy, Sister Merletti is 65 years old. She pursued civil law before joining the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor in 1986. In 1992, she obtained a doctorate in canon law from Rome's Pontifical Lateran University.
From 2004 to 2013, she served as superior general for her congregation. At her time of appointment as secretary, she was teaching canon law at Rome's Pontifical Antonianum University while also serving as a canon law expert with UISG.
