This morning, the Holy Father received Dr Maria Montserrat Alvarado, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, in audience. Leo XIV’s decision to meet her so promptly, as plans are being drawn up to reorganise the Holy See’s communications operation, is significant. In more than a year as Pope, he has received Paolo Ruffini only rarely and has never held private talks with the other leading figures in Vatican communications, including Matteo Bruni, Andrea Tornielli and Andrea Monda, whom he has met only at public events.
Alvarado has come to Rome to begin the handover ahead of formally taking charge of the Dicastery in November. In recent days, she has visited its various offices, spoken to staff and begun looking into a number of matters on which she had already been given detailed briefings. From the outset at Palazzo Pio, she has sought explanations and further information, focusing also on some of the organisation’s most immediate and sensitive problems.
Andrea Tornielli, Massimiliano Menichetti and Ruffini himself are trying to shape this initial phase by showing the new Prefect only what they believe she should see. Menichetti, in particular, has been keen to demonstrate his efficiency and present his own record in the best possible light. Alvarado, however, has not arrived unprepared: she is already familiar with the Dicastery’s internal workings, has seen for herself what has taken place in recent years and has been thoroughly briefed on its main areas of concern.
This morning’s audience therefore has a clear purpose. Speaking directly with Leo XIV will allow Alvarado to begin preparing a new direction for Vatican communications well before she formally takes up her post in November.
