The Holy See Press Office announced on February 25 that Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Emilio Nappa and Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi as the new Secretaries General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, effective March 1, 2025.
This significant decision follows amendments made by the pope to the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State (May 13, 2023) and Law No. CCLXXIV on the Government of Vatican City State (November 25, 2018).
The appointments coincide with Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE, officially assuming her role as President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate on the same day.
Archbishop Emilio Nappa currently serves as Assistant Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelisation (Section for First Evangelisation and New Particular Churches) and President of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, a lawyer by profession, has been serving as Deputy Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City since 2021, following his earlier roles within the Governorate, including head of the Legal, Civil Status, Registry, and Notarial Office.
In addition, Pope Francis has granted Sister Petrini the authority to delegate specific duties and responsibilities to the newly appointed Secretaries General as required, ensuring effective governance within Vatican City State.
Archbishop Emilio Nappa was born on August 9, 1972, in Naples, Italy. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Aversa on June 28, 1997.
He earned a doctorate in theology from Pontifical Gregorian University in 2004. In his diocese, he served as rector of the Church of San Rocco, director and full professor of fundamental theology at the Interdiocesan Ss. Apostoli Pietro e Paolo Higher Institute of Religious Sciences in Capua and Canon of the Cathedral.
In September 2022, he was appointed as an official of the Secretariat for the Economy. On December 2, 2022, Pope Francis appointed him as adjunct secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization and president of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi was born in Rome on October 23, 1966.
He finished his law degree at La Sapienza University in Rome. He began serving as an official at the Governorate of Vatican City State in 2014 and was appointed head of the Legal, Civil Status, Registry, and Notarial Office in 2017.
On November 4, 2021, Pope Francis named him deputy secretary general of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE, an Italian Catholic nun and member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, was born on January 15, 1969, in Rome.
She holds a degree in political science from the Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali (LUISS) in Rome and earned her doctorate from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), where she has also served as a professor.
Between 2005 and 2021, Sister Petrini served as an official at the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
In November 2021, Pope Francis appointed her as Secretary General of the Governorate of Vatican City State, marking her as the first woman to assume this role.
On February 15, 2025, she was named President of the Governorate, effective March 1, 2025, succeeding Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga.
In this capacity, she will oversee the administration of Vatican City. Her historic appointment highlights Pope Francis' commitment to enhancing the role of women in high-ranking positions within the Vatican.
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