Without much fanfare, Pope Leo XIV has reshaped part of the Holy See's “central government” during the first year of his pontificate. While his appointments have been relatively low-key, they outline a Roman Curia that reflects his eagerness to promote unity.
During his first year in office, Pope Leo XIV has quietly reshaped the Roman Curia, prioritizing internal mobility and stability over sweeping changes.
Last September, the appointment of Archbishop Filippo Iannone as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops may have surprised some. With this appointment, Leo was filling the post he himself had, now left open because of his election as pope. The choice of this quiet canon lawyer, previously prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, offered few clues about the direction the Pope intends to give the Church's “central administration.”
It did, however, confirm his respect for the Curia, which he expressed on Saturday, May 24, 2025, to its officials. “Popes pass, the Curia remains,” he noted at the time, describing the institution as “the institution that preserves and transmits the historical memory of a Church.”
Internal mobility and familiar faces
While the Roman Curia remains, its members inevitably change, and Leo XIV has indeed made appointments. Outside the Curia, he tapped French Archbishop Thibault Verny to head the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors on Saturday, July 5, 2025. This post had been held by the former archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Seán O'Malley, who retired at age 80.
He also appointed Australian Archbishop Anthony Randazzo as prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts. Yet Verny was already a member of the commission, and Randazzo had curial experience at the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in the early 2000s.
All other major appointments made by Leo XIV involve existing members of the Roman Curia, creating a level of internal mobility rarely seen at the Vatican in recent years. Croatian Archbishop Petar Rajič, who took over the role of prefect of the Papal Household left vacant by Pope Francis, and Italian Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, appointed substitute for general affairs to replace Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, were both nuncios relatively unknown to the general public. Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro, named president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, previously served as its chancellor.
The most striking transfer of the year is likely that of Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín. He was named prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity on Thursday, March 12. This shift is notable less for the profile of the Augustinian bishop — a former undersecretary of the Synod — and more for the departure of his predecessor, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.
The Polish cardinal, recently appointed to head his home archdiocese, was a living symbol of an enduring Curia. For more than 20 years, he continuously served three popes, from John Paul II to Francis. “But overall, there haven't been any major shockwaves in the appointments,” a Roman source pointed out.
A growing African presence
Some of the most significant changes in the first year of Leo XIV’s pontificate can perhaps be found in the lower ranks. First, Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín isn't the only Augustinian appointed to the Curia by his former prior. Nigerian Father Edward Daniang Daleng became vice-regent of the Papal Household, a role created specifically by the new pope. There's also a strong presence of leadership chosen from religious communities. Archbishop Iannone is a Carmelite, and Sister Tiziana Merletti, appointed secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, belongs to the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor.
Africa is clearly gaining momentum. In addition to Father Daleng, the Pope appointed two other Africans. Nigerian Monsignor Anthony Ekpo took the strategic role of assessor for general affairs at the Secretariat of State, while Tanzanian Monsignor Romanus Mbena was named Bishop Luis Marín de San Martín's right-hand man at the Dicastery for the Service of Charity. Geographically, Africa is particularly well represented in recent appointments, even if there isn't an African prefect in Rome right now.
The Pope still relies on many Europeans — especially Italians. The Asian continent, which gained significant ground during Pope Francis's pontificate, is currently absent from curial appointments. The same is true for the Americas, with the notable exception of Monsignor Edgard Iván Rimaycuna Inga. The Pope's secretary hails from the pontiff's former Peruvian diocese of Chiclayo.
Stability and a serene atmosphere
Ultimately, the main takeaway from this first year may come more from the stability emerging within the Curia. Many officials have remained in their posts, notably Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state, and Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, is nearing retirement and will turn 80 on Saturday, July 18, but he's still in office. The same goes for Cardinals Kurt Koch at the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, Kevin Farrell at the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, and Arthur Roche at the Dicastery for Divine Worship. All of them have already passed the canonical retirement age of 75. The mission of the only layman heading a dicastery, Paolo Ruffini at the Dicastery for Communication, is nearing its end.
“Leo XIV isn't rushing because he respects the institution he once belonged to, and he needs to assess the needs and available personnel ... which takes time,” a diplomat explained. He believes that while some officials expect changes in the coming months, “Leo's Curia has a different, more serene face.”
This atmosphere is palpable in the dicastery offices, as noted by an employee who expressed satisfaction with the appointment of “people who don't make much noise, but who are just like the Pope: faithful and hardworking.”
