Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, making her the first woman to head a major Vatican office. Brambilla will oversee all religious orders and congregations worldwide, including major orders like the Jesuits and Franciscans. Her appointment is seen as an advancement in Pope Francis's efforts to include more women in leadership roles within the Vatican. However, questions remain about how responsibilities will be divided between Brambilla and Spanish Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, who was appointed as pro-prefect of the dicastery. Challenges also remain, such as the declining number of nuns worldwide.