An interview the Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life: “The participation of women in leadership roles within the Church is increasingly significant.” Addressing abuse, navigating a globalized world, and the upcoming Jubilee of Consecrated Life in October.
Newsroom (24/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) On May 22, Sr. Tiziana Merletti, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, was appointed by Pope Leo XIV as Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. This marked the first appointment of the newly elected Pontiff, entrusting her with a pivotal role in the Roman Curia. In an exclusive interview with Vatican Media, Sr. Tiziana shares her reflections on this significant moment, the emotions it stirred, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in her new mission.
How did you receive the news of your appointment by Pope Leo XIV?
The nomination came as a great surprise and, frankly, with some trepidation. As Pope Leo XIV recently told newly appointed bishops, I too had my own plans and aspirations, having just arrived in Assisi. The idea of leaving everything behind to take on such a significant and delicate role caught me off guard and left me feeling unprepared. Yet, through prayer and dialogue with my congregational minister, I found clarity to say “yes” to this new call from God and the Church, with gratitude for the trust placed in me. Looking ahead, I place my confidence in the Holy Spirit, who will guide me. I am not alone—there is a dedicated team in the Dicastery working with great energy, and my own journey assures me that I am guided wisely to align with God’s will.
The Dicastery is led by another religious, Sr. Simona Brambilla, as Prefect. Does this reflect a “charismatic leadership” of women, particularly religious women, in the Church?
The structure of our Dicastery is truly unprecedented within the Roman Curia: a religious as Prefect, a cardinal as Pro-Prefect [Salesian Ángel Fernández Artime, Ed.], and a religious as Secretary. What stands out to me is the opportunity to live out synodality not just in theory but in the daily reality of our work—through the way we build relationships, share expertise, organize tasks, and address issues with respect, dignity, and justice.
Indeed, I believe this reflects the growing and significant role of women in leadership within the Church. The Gospel calls us to use our talents, the gifts God has given us, regardless of whether we are men or women. From my upbringing, I learned that commitment, sacrifice, perseverance, and joy in service are what matter. When these efforts are recognized at various levels, it sends a powerful message that the Church is on the right path.
In 1986, you made your first religious profession in the Institute you later led as Superior General from 2004 to 2013. What drew you to this vocation?
My call to embrace the charism of Blessed Francesca Schervier unfolded gradually. As a young woman, I had clear plans that pointed me in a different direction. But the beauty of giving my life entirely to follow Jesus, leaving everything behind, began to take root. Encountering the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor introduced me to the Franciscan charism of “holy unity and the highest poverty” and the specific call to “heal the wounds of the crucified Christ in suffering humanity,” as entrusted to Mother Francesca. Meeting authentic women who lived this charism—deeply human in their struggles, devoted to the poor, and in love with the risen Christ and His Gospel—sealed my decision over 40 years ago. That light continues to sustain me today.
With a degree in Law and expertise in Canon Law, you have also worked on the sensitive issue of abuse suffered by religious women. What progress has been made in this area?
My studies in Law and Canon Law were never separate from my life as a Franciscan Sister of the Poor. Engaging with the Church’s deep wound of abuse—not only sexual but also abuses of power, authority, conscience, and finances—has been a way to live out our charism more fully. One significant step forward is the growing awareness among those working on this issue to give meaning to the pain, scandal, helplessness, injustice, purification, forgiveness, and sometimes defeat that accompany it.
In the realm of women’s consecrated life, much has been accomplished, yet much remains to be done. The International Union of Superiors General has encouraged all institutes to appoint a safeguarding delegate and to develop specific guidelines. Initially, the focus was on sexual abuse, but over time, it became clear that other forms of abuse must also be addressed through reflection, awareness, and concrete actions for prevention and response. At the heart of this work are the victims, not the institution—a principle from which there is no turning back.
What are the main challenges facing consecrated life in a globalized and complex world marked by wars, economic crises, and social challenges?
Without oversimplifying the complexities we face, I would summarize the challenges in three words: hope, change, and vision. First, amid polarization, hatred, violence, and war, we are called to cultivate hope, aligning ourselves with the Gospel’s vision of history. Standing with the meek who will inherit the earth requires courage and patience to continue our work, believing deeply in its value. Care, generosity, and trust, as Pope Leo XIV emphasizes, sustain our commitment to the alliance of humanity.
Embracing change is another critical challenge. Clinging to past certainties—numbers, institutions, or grand works—hinders us from asking the right questions. For example: How do we live our charism today to serve the humanity entrusted to us? Do our lifestyle, prayer, and structures nourish us and those we meet? Are we willing to take risks to initiate inclusive and effective discernment processes for a consecrated life that tastes of “new wine”?
Finally, vision. In many parts of the world, we are asking where consecrated life is headed, what forms it will take in the future. The answers will not come from human calculations but from contemplative and collective listening to the Spirit’s guidance. Our task is to walk forward with courage and trust in the truth that sets us free.
The Jubilee of Consecrated Life will take place in October. How are you preparing, and what will be the key moments?
As we began preparing for the Jubilee, we recognized the world’s need for reconciliation and peace, leading us to embrace the theme “Pilgrims of Hope on the Path of Peace.” After a year of synodal preparation, we are now finalizing details with great anticipation. The program is rich: on October 8 and 9, we will begin with a penitential day, the crossing of the Holy Door, and a Holy Mass presided over by Pope Leo XIV. On the evening of October 9, three squares in Rome—Piazza dei Mirti, Piazza Don Bosco, and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele—will host moments of sharing, fraternity, and testimonies, each with a specific focus: service to the poorest, care for creation, and universal fraternity. These events remind us that peace is built daily through concrete acts of solidarity and love. The following days will include listening, reflection, and sharing sessions, with workshops on mediation and conflict management techniques on October 11. We eagerly await the thousands of consecrated persons who have registered for this joyful gathering!
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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