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. Francis has been naming women to more elevated positions within the Holy See since becoming head of the world's almost 1.

Sister Simona Brambilla, 60, of Italy will be prefect of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

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