The Holy Father appointed Sister Mary Teresa Barron, N.S.A., Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization in the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches, with the additional role of President of the Pontifical Mission Societies. The appointment takes effect on January 4, 2027. Sister Barron, born in Donegal (Ireland) in November 1968, has served as Superior General of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles since 2018 and chaired the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) from 2023 to 2025, as well as SEDOS from 2022 to 2025. She will work alongside Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Secretary Fortunatus Nwachukwu. The appointment continues the trend of growing female presence in positions of responsibility in the Curia begun under Pope Francis and continued by Pope Leo XIV.