Among the priorities that emerged in previous general congregations conclave requests to bring order to the regulatory chaos that often emerged in the final years of previous pontificates also found room. A mission given by Leo XIV canonistis trying to make it happen. The latest proof of this is the motu proprio that became known on Friday and through which Prevost modified an article of the Basic Law of the State of Vatican City. Small but decisive changes to improve it gap which had been talked about for months within the Holy Walls.
Motu proprio
Intervention from Leo XIV has stipulated that the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State may consist of cardinals but also “from other members”including the president. This is a formal but not substantial innovation. This problem started on January 19, 2025 when Francesco, guest Fabio Fazio to What’s the weather like? surprisingly announced his intention to appoint Sister Raffaella Petrini as head of the Governorate of the Vatican City State and thus president of the Pontifical Commission.
The announcement made many people turn up their noses and not just because of the television context. Although no one questions its quality sister Raffaella Petrinia highly respected figure in the Vatican who had earned himself respect as secretary general of the Governorate, many shook their heads at the contradiction between Bergoglio’s announced candidacy and what he himself had laid down even two years earlier in the Basic Law of the State of Vatican City. For art. 8, no. 1 Vatican “constitution” promulgated on May 13, 2023 yes saved the role of the president of the Pontifical Commission towards the cardinals.
Anomaly
Although the dictation of this article is also quite new, in March this year Sister Petrini was present taking over to Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga who is now eighty years old as head of the Governorate and Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State. The planned takeover comes at the most difficult time for Pope Francis, as he struggles between life and death in court Twin sisters making it complicated to change pre-existing rules. The situation remains unclear to this day, although Sister Petrini remains respected even in her new role.
Leo XIV now listened to those who asked him to bring order to the chaos of regulations and change the laws adapt it on circumstances. He did, it is written, “in response to governance needs that are proving to be increasingly complex and pressing”. An intervention that is also in the interests of Sister Petrini, considered by many to be one of them better appointments from the previous pontificate and not because she was the first woman to occupy the top post of Governorate, but because her managerial qualities were combined with a deep and sincere spirituality.
Next is Leo order where it is needed.
The topic of law in general is very dear to the canonical Prevost as revealed in a message sent to the Association of Managers of Institutes Dependent on Ecclesiastical Authority (AGIDAE), on the occasion of a conference held on the 65th anniversary of his institution and in which he recommended “That’harmonization between the principles of Italian civil law and canon law” urge to “continue to pay attention to social and civil values, as well as continuous training for managers and employees”.
