Pope Leo names EWTN News president as new prefect of Vatican Dicastery of Communication

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Maria Montserrat Alvarado, president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, to serve as the new Vatican prefect of the Dicastery for Communication. 

The appointment of Alvarado, who is the first laywoman to be prefect of a Vatican dicastery, takes effect Nov. 1, the Holy See Press Office announced in a June 6 press release.

Alvarado, who was born in Mexico City, studied at Florida International University and George Washington University before stepping into senior roles at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. 

She became president and COO of EWTN News in 2023, overseeing a number of international media platforms.

In a statement, Alvarado said she received the news “with deep gratitude, humility, and trust in the Lord,” expressing gratitude for how the faithful example of those at EWTN have inspired her. 

Michael Warsaw, CEO of EWTN and chairman of the board, praised Alvarado’s faithful witness throughout her work.  

Alvarado’s “background in international media, public affairs, and Church engagement has helped shape EWTN’s outreach at a critical moment in the history of our apostolate: the pivot into a deeper engagement with the digital space,” he said in a statement after the appointment. “Just as importantly, she has remained deeply committed to the mission that defines EWTN: proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ and the teachings of his Church with clarity, fidelity, and charity.”

Alvarado succeeds Paolo Ruffini, who was appointed in 2018 by Pope Francis, who established the dicastery in 2015. The prefect’s appointment is a five-year term, according to EWTN, and the role requires overseeing the Holy See’s whole media network. Ruffini will work closely with Alvarado in the coming months ahead of the transition. 

Kelsey Reinhardt, president and CEO of CatholicVote, also welcomed the historic appointment.

“On behalf of CatholicVote, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Montserrat Alvarado on her historic appointment as Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication,” Reinhardt stated.
“This is a moment of great joy not only for Montse, her family, and all those who have worked alongside her but also for Catholics across the United States who know the depth of her faith, and the gifts she brings to the service of the Church.”

Reinhardt, who previously served as executive director for EWTN News’ international news agencies, continued, “I had the privilege of working for Montse during her time at EWTN and Montse will bring to the Vatican not only multilingual excellence and broad experience in Catholic media but also a deep love for the Church and an unwavering loyalty to the Holy Father.”

“Her appointment is also another powerful sign that the United States is living through a true Catholic Moment,” she added. “An American laywoman now directly serving the Holy Father in such a consequential role is something we should receive with gratitude and hope. May God bless Montse in this new mission, and may Our Lady guide and protect her as she serves the Church in Rome.”