With a Motu Proprio, Pope Leo XIV has abrogated Article 8 of the previous Fundamental Law of Vatican City State, which had allowed only cardinals to serve as president of the Commission, a position currently held by Sister Raffaella Petrini. The Pope, therefore, consolidates a change wanted by Francis and resolves an issue that had emerged due to increasingly “complex and pressing” governance needs.
By Salvatore Cernuzio
Not only cardinals but also “other members” may serve as president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, and therefore laymen or women as well. This is established by a Motu Proprio of Pope Leo XIV, published on Friday, 21 November, which abrogates Article 8 of the Fundamental Law promulgated in June 2023, in light of governance needs that have become “increasingly complex and pressing.”
Since 1 March 2025, by the will of Pope Francis, a religious sister, Sr Raffaella Petrini, has served as president of the Pontifical Commission of Vatican City State and of the Governorate. She is the first woman to hold this dual role, which includes the exercise of legislative and administrative authority within Vatican City State.
The new article
The Holy See Press Office’s bulletin of 25 February 2025, concerning the appointment of the Secretary Generals of the Governorate, had already clarified that Pope Francis had modified the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State. Today’s publication of the Motu Proprio of Leo XIV therefore consolidates the change introduced by his predecessor.
More specifically, Article 8 of the Fundamental Law previously stated: “The Pontifical Commission is composed of Cardinals, including the President, and of other members, appointed by the Supreme Pontiff for a five-year term.” In the Motu Proprio published today, the article in question is abrogated and replaced with: “The Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State is composed of Cardinals and other members, including the President, appointed by the Supreme Pontiff for a five-year term.”
This modification opens the possibility that “other members” who are not cardinals—such as laymen and women—may lead the Commission.
The Pope’s decision
Pope Leo explains his decision in the apostolic letter, stating that: “The Governorate is called to contribute, through its own structure, to the mission proper to Vatican City State, carrying out this task in service to the Successor of Peter, to whom it responds directly.”
In fulfilling this “demanding task,” the Governorate exercises “a form of co-responsibility within the communio, which,” the Pope emphasises, “is one of the principles guiding the service of the Roman Curia, as desired by Pope Francis and established in the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium of 19 March 2022, and applicable also to Vatican City State.”
This “form of shared responsibility” therefore makes “timely the consolidation of certain solutions developed thus far in response to governance needs that are proving increasingly complex and pressing.”
The Motu Proprio, signed on 19 November but published today, enters into force immediately.
