Pope Francis appoints Sr. Raffaella Petrini as President of the Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate

On Saturday, 15 February, Pope Francis appointed Sr. Raffaella Petrini, FSE, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State.

The appointment will be effective on 1 March.

Sr. Petrini’s appointment represents continuity, as she has been serving as Secretary General of the Governorate since 4 November 2021. Prior to that, she had served the Holy See as an Official of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, will continue to serve as President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate until 1 March. His service at the Governorate began on 10 January 2008, when he was appointed Director of the Directorate of Telecommunications of Vatican City State. Pope Francis appointed him Secretary General of the Governorate on 30 August 2013, and on 15 October of the same year, elevated him to the dignity of Bishop. He appointed him President of the Pontifical Commission of Vatican City State and President of the Governorate on 8 September 2021, at the same time, conferring on him the personal title of Archbishop. The appointment became effective on 1 October. Pope Francis created him a cardinal during the consistory of 27 August 2022, of the Deaconry of Santa Maria delle Mercede e Sant’Adriano a Villa Albani.

Sr. Petrini’s role will be in continuity with that of her predecessor, as she has served as his close collaborator in the government of the State.

Employees of the Governorate will gather together in the Church of Mary, Mother of the Family, on Monday morning, 3 March, to attend Holy Mass in gratitude to the Cardinal for his faithful service to the Pontiff and to the Governorate throughout the years, and to express their good wishes and renew their support to the new President. Mass will be presided by the Cardinal.