While women have been named to No. 2 spots in some Vatican offices, none were named prefect of a dicastery or congregation of the Holy See Curia, the central governing organ of the Catholic Church.

Sister Simona Brambilla was appointed as the prefect of a Vatican office that oversees religious orders, but she may not be alone at the top.

Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla to lead a Vatican department, naming the first woman head of the office that oversees the world's Catholic religious orders and congregations.