Pope Francis has broken with Catholic tradition to appoint a woman as an undersecretary of the synod of bishop. She is the first to hold the post with voting rights in a body that studies major questions of doctrine.
Frenchwoman, Nathalie Becquart is one of the two new undersecretaries named on February 6 to the synod, where she has been a consultant since 2019.
The Argentinian-born pope has signalled his wish to reform the synod and have women and laypeople play a greater role in the church.
Becquart, 52, is a member of the France-based Xaviere Sisters. She has a master’s degree in management from the prestigious HEC business school in Paris and studied in Boston before joining the order.