Pope Leo XIV Appoints New Members to Dicastery for Communication, Including Three from Asia

Pope Leo XIV has appointed three prominent Asian Church leaders to serve as members of the Dicastery for Communication, the Vatican body responsible for overseeing the Holy See’s media and communications ministry worldwide. The appointments were announced by the Holy See Press Office on April 9. Church leaders in Asia have welcomed the appointments, seeing them as a sign of the continent’s growing relevance in the Church’s universal mission.

The newly appointed members from Asia are:

• Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches
• Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Damão, India, and President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences
• Bishop Marcelino Antonio M. Maralit, Bishop of San Pablo, Philippines, and President of the Office of Social Communications of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences

The Dicastery for Communication plays a crucial role in the Church’s mission, coordinating how the Catholic Church communicates with the faithful and the wider world. Its responsibilities range from managing Vatican media outlets to promoting ethical and effective communication strategies globally. The body serves as a bridge between the Church’s teachings and modern society, ensuring that the message of the Gospel reaches all corners of the world in a clear, engaging, and timely manner.

For the Church in Asia, these appointments signal a strengthened voice and increased representation in the Vatican’s communications ministry. Cardinal Tagle, Cardinal Ferrão, and Bishop Maralit bring decades of pastoral, educational, and media experience, particularly in engaging diverse and growing Catholic populations across Asia. Their presence on the dicastery is expected to foster more culturally sensitive communication, promote evangelization through modern media, and highlight the concerns and perspectives of Asian Catholics in the global Church.

“The inclusion of these distinguished leaders from Asia underscores the universal nature of the Church,” said Fr. John Mi Shen, Executive Secretary of the Office of Social Communications of the FABC and Program Director of Radio Veritas Asia. “It reflects Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to ensuring that all regions of the Church are heard in shaping its communications strategy,” Fr. Mi Shen added.

With these appointments, the Vatican continues its effort to strengthen the Church’s presence in the digital era, fostering dialogue, transparency, and outreach across continents, while amplifying the voices of local Churches within the global Catholic community.