By Pope Francis, on Wednesday, appointed three women to serve as members of the Catholic Dicastery which is responsible for identifying and recommending bishops for dioceses.
The historic move marks the first time women would be appointed into the committee — previously dominated by men.
The newly appointed members include Raffaella Petrini, a nun who currently serves as the secretary-general of the governorate of the Vatican City State; Yvonne Reungoat, a French nun and former superior-general of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; and Dr. Maria Lia Zervino, president of the World Union of Catholic Women Organisations.
The nomination of Zervino also marks the first appointment ever of a laywoman to the Dicastery.
Others appointed are 11 members including cardinals, bishops and priests.
The Pope had in an interview with Reuters earlier in July disclosed that he wanted to give women more senior and influential positions in the Holy See.
