Pope Leo XIV has appointed three Filipino church leaders to the Vatican’s central communications office, further highlighting the country’s growing influence within global Catholic leadership.
In an announcement released Thursday morning (Manila time), the Holy See Press Office confirmed that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, San Pablo Bishop Marcelino Maralit, and Archbishop Ryan Jimenez have been named members of the Dicastery for Communication.
Tagle, who currently serves as pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, remains among the highest-ranking Filipino officials in the Vatican. Maralit, for his part, leads the Office of Social Communications of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, reflecting his active role in shaping church communications across the region. The appointment of Jimenez further underscores the increasing presence of Filipino voices in the Church’s global communication efforts.
The Dicastery for Communication serves as the Vatican’s central media arm, overseeing key platforms such as Vatican News, L’Osservatore Romano, and the Vatican Publishing House.
Also appointed were several international church figures, including Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Cristóbal López Romero, Filipe Neri Ferrão, José Tolentino de Mendonça, Salvatore Fisichella, Bernardin Francis Mfumbasa, Lizardo Estrada Herrera, Roberto Pasolini, and Helen Osman.
According to the Vatican, the new appointments are intended to strengthen its communications structure by bringing together leaders from diverse regions, ensuring that the Church’s message is effectively conveyed across cultures and communities worldwide.