Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Croatian nun, Sister Nina Benedikta Krapić, M.V.Z., as the new Deputy Director of the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican announced on Friday, February 13.
She succeeds Cristiane Murray, who has served in the role since July 2019 and was received in audience by the Pope earlier in the day. The announcement was published in the daily bulletin of the Holy See Press Office and reported by Vatican News.
Sr. Nina, currently an official of the Dicastery for Communication, will formally assume her new role on March 1, 2026.
Formation and Service
Born in Rijeka, Croatia, on June 7, 1989, Sr. Nina earned a degree in Law from the University of Rijeka in 2015 and later specialized in Public Relations at the University of Zagreb in 2023.
She made her perpetual vows in the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul on August 13, 2023.
Her professional path combines communication, legal advocacy, and pastoral outreach. She worked as a journalist and legal advisor assisting women victims of domestic violence and marginalized individuals, and led communications for Caritas of the Archdiocese of Rijeka.
Since 2023, she has served at the Dicastery for Communication and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Social Sciences at the Collegium Maximum of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Role and Mission
As Deputy Director of the Holy See Press Office, Sr. Nina will help coordinate the Vatican’s central communications work.
The Press Office (Sala Stampa della Santa Sede) is the official news source of the Holy See, publishing and disseminating information on the activities, speeches, and documents of Pope Leo XIV. It issues the daily bulletin, manages media accreditation, and serves as the main liaison between the Vatican and journalists worldwide.
Working closely with Vatican News within the Dicastery for Communication, the Press Office ensures accurate and timely communication of the Pope’s ministry and the work of the Roman Curia.
With her background in journalism and public relations, Sr. Nina is expected to strengthen professional, transparent, and responsive communication — a mission that resonates strongly with the Churches of Asia served by Radio Veritas Asia.
Gratitude, Mission and Hope for Asia
Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, expressed gratitude to Cristiane Murray for her years of dedicated service.
“I warmly thank Cristiane Murray for the dedication and professionalism with which she carried out her service,” Ruffini said. “In the same spirit, I extend my best wishes for fruitful work to Sister Nina Benedikta Krapić, confident in her great professional and human qualities.”
In a brief response to Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), Sr. Nina reflected the same spirit of humility and commitment:
“Thank you for your interest and your prayers. It is not the time for reflections yet. I need to dedicate to work to respond the trust I have been given. Blessings!”
For the Church in Asia, her appointment carries particular resonance. In a continent marked by vibrant and growing Catholic communities, communication plays a crucial role in evangelization, interreligious dialogue, and social engagement.
With experience in journalism, public relations, and advocacy for vulnerable communities, Sr. Nina represents a new generation of Church communicators—professionally competent and pastorally grounded.
Her work with victims of domestic violence and marginalized persons echoes many realities faced across Asia, including poverty, migration, human trafficking, and gender-based violence.
For Catholic media ministries such as Radio Veritas Asia, her appointment is a hopeful sign that the universal Church continues to entrust leadership in communication to women religious committed to service, dialogue, and the Gospel.
As she prepares to assume office on March 1, 2026, the Church in Asia joins in prayer for her mission of transparency, credibility, and hope.
