Choosing bishops is one of the more direct ways that a pope can shape and influence the Church. But when he makes nominations he relies on the advice of the Dicastery for Bishops, which plays a critical role in sifting through the candidates being considered as leaders of dioceses across most of the world. So Pope Francis’ recent appointment of three women to the body with responsibility for bishops is a potential game changer.

Sr Raffaella Petrini, 53, an Italian religious who is the secretary-general of Vatican City State; Maria Lía Zervino, the Argentinian lay woman who is president of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (born in 1951), and Sr Yvonne Reungoat, 77, the French former superior of the Salesian sisters, are the first women to sit on the board that decides episcopal appointments. All three are experienced figures who themselves have held leadership positions.
Their responsibilities will include assessing the dossiers sent by nuncios – papal ambassadors – from across the world and then voting on who should be recommended to the Pope. Francis is free to accept or reject their advice. The work is highly sensitive and takes place under strict confidentiality.