The appointment marks a major step in Pope Francis’ aim to give women more leadership roles in governing the church.

Sister Simona Brambilla was appointed as the prefect of a Vatican office that oversees religious orders, but she may not be alone at the top.

Pope Francis on Monday named the first woman to lead a major Vatican department, appointing an Italian sister to take charge of the office that oversees the world's Catholic religious orders.

Sister Simona Brambilla has been named prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, marking the first time a woman has held such a role in the Roman Curia.

Pope Francis has named the first woman to head a major Vatican office. He is appointing Sister Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, to become prefect of the Vatican department responsible for all the church's religious orders.