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\n Chiara Porro, Australia's ambassador to the Holy See, presents her credentials to Pope Francis Aug. 27, 2020. \/ Vatican Media\/EWTN.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Vatican City, Nov 28, 2024 \/ 08:04 am (CNA).<\/p>\n
Heading home after serving four and a half years in the Vatican as Australia\u2019s ambassador to the Holy See, Chiara Porro says she has seen a rise in the participation and promotion of women\u2019s leadership in the Catholic Church under Pope Francis. <\/p>\n
Officially completing her term at the Vatican post on Nov.29, Porro says the pope has made significant changes to ensure both religious sisters and laywomen have a \u201cseat at the table\u201d alongside men in the Vatican. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I arrived it was a time when the pope started to put women into leadership positions,\u201d Porro told CNA. \u201cWhat I\u2019ve noticed over these years is that the momentum has really increased.\u201d <\/p>\n
Within the Vatican, Pope Francis has appointed a number of women in high-ranking positions since his 2013 election, including economist Sister Alessandra Smirelli as secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in 2022; Sister Nathalie Becquart as undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops in 2021; and art historian Barbara Jatta as Vatican Museums director in 2016. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe process of synodality that the pope has started has given women \u2014 but not only women \u2014 the opportunity to be heard,\u201d Porro said. \u201cThe synod [in October] has been really important to just show the diversity of views among women and the importance of listening to them all and having that dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n
As one of 51 women ambassadors out of a total of 130 country ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, Porro shared with CNA that ambassadors regularly meet and collaborate with several women associated with the Vatican and other Catholic organizations. <\/p>\n
\u201cTogether we\u2019ve tried to give support to women working in the Catholic Church, or religious women, or other groups \u2014 working in collaboration with men \u2014 to try and advance women and ensure everyone has a seat at the table,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Speaking on human rights issues \u2014 including human trafficking, protection of minors, and religious freedom \u2014 the Australian ambassador said both the state and the Church have important roles to play to promote peace and social cohesion in society. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs institutions we can work together to address some of these issues,\u201d Porro said. \u201cThere are lots of areas that we\u2019ve worked with the Vatican and I think that there\u2019s much more that can be done \u2014 lots of partnerships.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Vatican\u2019s influence is something that I think is very critical and that states recognize,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n
Having collaborated with various Vatican bodies including the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, Porro has also worked closely with the Holy See\u2019s charitable arm Caritas Internationalis \u201cto raise the voices of the most vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stephanie MacGillivray, Caritas Internationalis Senior Officer for Identity and Mission, Women\u2019s Empowerment and Inclusion, told CNA both political and faith leaders have \u201csignificant influence on social, political and cultural norms.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cBy working with state and faith leaders, we can ensure that women\u2019s experiences, needs and expertise are brought to the tables where decisions are made that will affect their lives,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Although \u201cwomen\u2019s leadership, protection and respect for the human rights of women within religion is sometimes contested,\u201d MacGillivray told CNA the collaborative work of Church leaders, faith-based organisations, and government actors is key in effectively addressing and overcoming issues that undermine the rights and dignity of women and girls in different parts of the world.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on her work in the Vatican since first presenting her credential letters to Pope Francis in 2020, Porro expressed her \u201chope that the work that we\u2019ve done over these years continues to progress.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really been an immense privilege and honor to serve here as Australia\u2019s ambassador and I hope I\u2019ve grown the relationship and been able to identify areas where we have been able to work more together and influence change for the betterment of the world and society as a whole,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n