Pope Leo XIV convened first Curia head meeting as major Vatican reshuffle looms

Niwa Limbu • November 10, 2025

The Vatican confirmed today that Pope Leo XIV convened the first official session of the meeting of Heads of the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia this morning at the Apostolic Palace.

The gathering sets the tone for the Pope’s governance of the Curia as he begins to evaluate appointments previously made by Pope Francis.

The only new permanent appointment revealed so far is that of Archbishop Filippo Iannone, who has been named Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, replacing the Pope himself in the position.

According to the Holy See Press Office Bulletin, the Heads of each Dicastery were present and attended what appears to be the first of regular monthly meetings.

Those present included Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who heads the Dicastery for the Service of Charity. Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti attended in his role as Prefect for the Eastern Churches.

Cardinal Arthur Roche represented the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, while Cardinal Marcello Semeraro was present from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik took part as Prefect for the Clergy.

Also attending were Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Pro-Prefect for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect for the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.

Cardinal Kurt Koch was present for the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and Cardinal George Koovakad represented the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça attended as Prefect for Culture and Education, while Cardinal Michael Czerny S.J. took part for the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Paolo Ruffini, Prefect for Communication, was also among those present. The Dicastery for Evangelization was represented by its two Pro-Prefects, Archbishop Rino Fisichella and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.

Among these, attention is already turning to Cardinal Arthur Roche’s imminent replacement at the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Having turned seventy-five in March, his current five-year term is set to expire within a year.

Observers suggest that the next Prefect may offer important clues to how Pope Leo intends to handle the Church’s liturgical policy, especially in light of the ongoing debates surrounding the motu proprio Traditionis custodes. Candidates mentioned by commentators include Archbishop Vittorio Viola as a continuity figure, while Cardinal Péter Erdő is noted as a possible transitional option with a more flexible liturgical outlook.

Several other Curial departments are also expected to see changes in the coming months. Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, turned seventy-five earlier this year and has already exceeded the typical five-year term, which ended in July. Vatican observers believe a successor could be appointed soon.

Among possible candidates is Archbishop Flavio Pace, the dicastery’s forty-eight-year-old secretary, though his youth might make his appointment premature. Outside the Vatican, Archbishop Bertram Meier of Augsburg has been frequently mentioned. Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham is also regarded as a credible possibility.

At the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Cardinal Michael Czerny S.J., now seventy-nine, remains in post despite being four years beyond the usual retirement age. Many had expected his undersecretary, Cardinal Fabio Baggio, to succeed him when he was elevated last year. Yet some reports in Rome suggest that Pope Leo may instead consider the dicastery’s secretary, Sr Alessandra Smerili F.M.A., continuing Pope Francis’s precedent of appointing women and non-clergy to senior Vatican positions.

Cardinal Marcello Semeraro of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints is likewise nearing retirement, with his five-year mandate having ended in October. The dicastery’s secretary, Archbishop Fabio Fabene, is widely tipped as his natural successor, having held senior Curial roles for over a decade.

Historically, the Curia has undergone major reform both under Pope Paul VI and later under Pope Francis, and commentators note that this new phase suggests Pope Leo is preparing to stake out his own direction.

(Photo by ANDREW MEDICHINI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)