Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
The
Vatican City State/ Stato della Cittą del Vadicano. Government
of the Catholic Church, the Holy See (No suffrage) The Papal State was incorporated
in the United Kingdom of Italy 1870-1929 and has been a sovereign state since 1929
1644-55 Politically Influential Olimpia
Maidalchini
At the age of 20 she married her second husband, Pamphilio Pamphilj. When her
brother-in-law a few years later became Pope Innocent X, she exerted a strong
influence upon him, and soon becoming the only person whose advice the pope
fully relied on. For this reason ambassadors, artists, tradesmen, politicians,
and any important person in Rome presented her with rich gifts, to gain her
favour and be well introduced to the Pope. When he died, the new pope, Alexander
VII, exiled her to San Martino al Cimino - a small village just north of Rome -
and asked to give back the gold she had taken away. She refused ande died of
plague four years later. She lived (1592-1657).
1501-02 In charge of the Administration Lucrezia Borgia
She was the daughter of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI) and Vannozza
de Cattanei. First married to Giovanni Sforza, Prince of Pesaro. After their
divorce in 1497 she served as her father's hostess at diplomatic receptions. She
was appointed governor of Spoleto by her father 1499-1502, an office usually
reserved for cardinals, and she administered the city well. In 1500 Alfonso was
murdered by her brother, Cesare. A year later her father left the administration
of the Vatican and the Church in her hands. Finally Regent in Ferrara during the
absence of her third husband. She lived (1480-1519).
1939-58 Politically Influential Sister Mary
Pasqualina Lehnert
She served as Pope Pius XII's housekeeper and secretary from his period as
Nuncio to Bavaria in 1917, and espeically in the pope's final years, as his
health deteriorated she seems to have in effect controlled the pope, by deciding
who could see him, when they could see him, what documents he could read and
advised him on decisions he should take. Enemies of called her La Popessa (Papesse). Her
intense dislike of him was credited by Curia members with causing Pope Pius XII
to deny a cardinalate to Archbishop Giovanni Montini, the future Pope Paul VI,
so excluding him from the 1958 papal conclave, where it was suspected that he
would have been a leading candidate to be elected pope. This decision was
overturned by the new pope, John XXIII, who chose Montini to be the first person
he appointed to be a cardinal. Lehnert.
She lived (1894-1983).
1966-76 Under Secretary of Pontifical
Council for the Laity Rosemary Goldie
Originally from Australia.
2004-12 Under-Secretary for
the Congegration for Institutes of Consecrated Life Sister
Enrica Rosanna
She was number three in the
Ministry responsible for religious orders. Each
congregation is headed by a cardinal with a secretary as second-in-command. (b.
1944-).
2005-13 Personal Assistant of the Pope Ingrid Stampa
She was Pope Benedict XVIs close confidant and advisor from 1991, during
his term as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under the
name of Cardinal Ratzinger. She is an academic and lay affiliate of the
Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary and has now been integrated into the German section
of the secretariat of state. (b. 1950-)
2010- Under Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace Sister Flaminia Giovanelli
2012- Under-Secretary for
the Congegration for Institutes of Consecrated Life Sister Nicla Spezzati
2012- Head of the Fabbrica di San Pietro Maria Cristina Carlo-Stella (Saint Peters Church)
Last update 11.11.14