It has been reported that Pope Leo XIV is preparing a series of senior curial appointments that would mark the first significant reshuffle of his pontificate.
Writing for Il Giornale, Nico Spuntoni, the paper’s Vatican correspondent, described how “in the sacred halls, the silence of the Curia’s spiritual exercises contrasts with the buzz of rumours about upcoming appointments”, as Leo XIV approaches the first anniversary of his election. Having completed the Jubilee initiated by his predecessor, the Pope is now said to be turning his attention to consolidating his own governing team.
Spuntoni characterised the process as a measured transition: “His, however, will be a soft revolution, aiming to avoid signs of a complete break with the recent past,” he wrote, noting that “the natural expiration dates of several important positions are helping him in this regard”.
The first changes are expected in the financial sector, which Spuntoni described as “one of the most important for the governance of the Holy See”. Carmelo Barbagallo, president of the Financial Supervision and Information Authority since 2019, will turn 70 on February 28. “The Pope has not envisaged an extension for him,” Spuntoni reported, adding that Federico Antellini Russo, currently director and vice-president, is considered the leading internal candidate for succession. The authority exercises anti-money-laundering oversight over the Institute for the Works of Religion.
At the Institute itself, further change may be imminent. Gian Franco Mammì, director general since 2015, is also approaching his 70th birthday. Spuntoni wrote that “at the Torrione Niccolò V, the search for a successor has already begun”, indicating that Leo XIV intends personally to address the future leadership of the Vatican Bank.
Beyond finances, Spuntoni suggested that Leo XIV is focused on placing trusted figures in positions close to his person. “Another priority of Leo XIV is to choose trustworthy and reliable people for those who will work closely with him,” he wrote. He pointed to the recent promotion of an official from the former Dicastery for Bishops to the papal household and did not exclude “a future promotion to aide-de-chambre to His Holiness, a highly sensitive role as demonstrated by the sad VatiLeaks affair”.
Particular attention has centred on the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, which oversees the papal agenda and official audiences. The post of prefect has been vacant for three years. Spuntoni reported that it “could go to Monsignor Petar Rajič, the current nuncio to Italy and San Marino”. He added that “insiders tell Il Giornale that the Pope is considering offering this nunciature to his replacement, Edgar Peña Parra”.
Archbishop Peña Parra has served as Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State, effectively the second-ranking official in that department. According to Spuntoni, he has previously declined two alternative assignments proposed by Leo XIV but “may consider the assignment to Villa Giorgina, which would keep him in contention for a future cardinalate”.
Spuntoni also noted that Pope Leo has made gestures towards greater representation of the African Church within the Curia. Last November he appointed the Augustinian Fr Edward Daniang Daleng as vice-regent of the Pontifical Household, where he serves alongside the experienced regent Leonardo Sapienza.
The reported moves would see Barbagallo and Mammì leave their current posts, while a figure described as a loyalist from the Dicastery for Bishops is said to be entering the papal household. Together, the changes would constitute the most substantial reorganisation of senior Vatican offices since Leo XIV’s election.
Neither the Holy See Press Office nor the officials concerned has commented publicly on the reports.
