Priest who served as Pope's translator named secretary at new office for the laity

Fr Alexandre Awi Mello, who will serve in the dicastery for laity, family and life, has written a book about Francis's devotion to Mary

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Eight months after the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life officially began functioning, Pope Francis has named a 46-year-old Brazilian priest to serve as its secretary.

The appointment of Schonstatt Fr Alexandre Awi Mello, who is completing a doctorate in Mariology at the University of Dayton's International Marian Research Institute, was announced on Wednesday at the Vatican.

US Cardinal Kevin Farrell is prefect of the dicastery, which began operating last September. It was formed by uniting the pontifical councils for laity and for family.

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