There has been a notable shift in the average age of the active Prefects across the 16 Roman Dicasteries of the Curia at the Vatican.
Five years ago the average age was 72 years. Under Pope Leo XIV’s current administration and governance structure the average age is 65 years.
One reason has been the integration of women and lay leaders into major prefectural seats including Dr Maria Montserrat Alvarado, a Mexican-American media executive and journalist who as the youngest-ever appointee at 39 years old, will take up her role officially as Prefect of the Dicastery of Communications next month.
One of the other younger members is Archbishop Anthony Randazzo, Prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, and formerly of the Diocese of Broken Bay, who celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday (7 October).
Dr Alvarado has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of EWTN News since 2023. She was also vice president and executive director of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty during which time the advocacy group won a number of landmark religious liberty cases at the U.S. Supreme Court. She holds a degree in political science and political management, and is fluent in Spanish and French as well as English. She succeeds Paolo Ruffini who is retiring.
Some media outlets have been surprised at the appointment, not so much Archbishop Randazzo.
“Dr Alvarado is now the fourth woman to head up different dicasteries and offices in the Curia,” Archbishop Randazzo said.
“The surprise was how young she is because when you look around the table, I am one of the younger people, and she is a good bit younger than me!
“But she comes with a formidable curriculum vitae, and a wealth of media knowledge and experience. I think the Holy Father’s choice with the appointment is saying something different is happening here.
In his first wide-ranging interview since taking up his prefecture, Archbishop Randazzo spoke about his new role, his impressions of Pope Leo, reaction to the Pope’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, and developing collaboration within the Curia, I n the new Broken Bay podcast "Around the Bay".
He also had a special message for the people of the Diocese of Broken Bay whom he said have “an unforgettable place in my heart”.
Archbishop Randazzo’s full interview on the podcast Around the Bay here.
