The appointment marks a major step in Pope Francis' aim to give women more leadership roles in governing the church.

He is appointing Sister Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, to become prefect of the Vatican department responsible for all the church's religious orders.

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.

A woman is appointed Vatican prefect by Pope Francis for the first time.