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<p>The new General and Staff Regulations of the Roman Curia, published on Nov. 23, marked the conclusion of the Curial reform initiated by Pope Francis.</p>
<p>Almost simultaneously, Bishop Marco Mellino — named secretary of the Interdicasterial Commission for the Revision of the Regulations of the Roman Curia under Pope Francis’ pontificate — was appointed adjunct secretary of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts by Pope Leo XIV. This appointment signals that the work is complete and that a new chapter has begun.</p>
<h3>Origins and Mandate of the New Regulations</h3>
<p>The need for new regulations arose from the profound Curial reform mandated by the March 2022 apostolic constitution <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_constitutions/documents/20220319-costituzione-ap-praedicate-evangelium.html"><i>Praedicate Evangelium</i></a>. Under this mandate, some procedures could no longer be carried out as before, and economic responsibilities had to be transferred to the Secretariat for the Economy. The new regulations were also intended to make concrete and verifiable a listening procedure required by the “synodal” thrust Pope Francis desired for the Church.</p>
<p>Following the apostolic constitution, an interdicasterial commission was established in April 2022, and the composition of prelates appointed under Pope Francis indicated the responsibilities that would apply. The commission was chaired by Archbishop Filippo Iannone, formerly the prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, who has since been appointed by Leo XIV as his successor as head of the Dicastery for Bishops.</p>
<p>It also included Archbishop Edgar Peña<i> </i>Parra, the Secretariat of State’s <i>sostituto</i> (deputy for general affairs); Bishop Nunzio Galantino, then President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) and now retired; Father Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves, then prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, who resigned from that office in November 2022; and Vincenzo Buonomo, in his capacity as general counselor of the Vatican City State.</p>
<p>APSA and the Secretariat for the Economy were to assume responsibility for economic management, including hiring profiles, employee compensation, and management previously entrusted to the Secretariat of State. The Secretariat of State, though downsized due to its poor financial management, remained central to coordinating the dicasteries.</p>
<h3>Continuity with Tradition</h3>
<p>This reform has three main characteristics: continuity with the Church’s tradition, administrative adaptation, and a synodal thrust.</p>
<p>First, the regulations are in continuity with the Church’s tradition, without breaking with the past. The official language remains Latin, although <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/cna/official-vatican-documents-can-now-be-drafted-in-languages-other-than-latin">the regulations emphasize</a> that internal documents may also be drafted “in other languages.” The previous version of the General Regulations noted that they must be drafted in Latin, with other languages allowed “as needed.” What has changed? </p>
<p>Simply, the new regulations acknowledge the fact that Latin is still the official language of the Church, but that many in the Church lack adequate knowledge of it. Latin remains, but the possibility of writing acts in other languages is expanded. After all, the <i>editio typica </i>(the original edition used as a reference point for any translation) of Pope Francis’ original documents was often not in Latin, but in Spanish.</p>
<h3>Administrative Adaptation</h3>
<p>Other administrative adjustments were made. The General Regulations and those that apply to staff are now separate. In the old version, the Staff Regulations (on employee ranks, salary, etc.) were an integral part of the General Regulations (on Vatican employee conduct more broadly) and constituted the first part of the document. Now they are separated from the General Regulations and placed in the second part. The idea is to make work more efficient by clearly defining each individual’s responsibilities and duties.</p>
<p>In this sense, the reforms also establish greater centralization or accountability. Even the heads of dicastery offices are now appointed by the pope, which increases his control over the candidates. Previously, the choice of office head was made by “note from the Secretariat of State,” but the appointment remained within each dicastery.</p>
<p>It is striking that the Secretariat of State maintains a central coordinating role. Although during the pontificate of Pope Francis the Secretariat of State lost its administrative duties and its functions were fragmented — including management of the Holy See Press Office, which passed to the Dicastery for Communication — the Secretariat of State remains the central coordinating body of the Roman Curia.</p>
<h3>Synodality and Accountability</h3>
<p>Finally, the synodal thrust, which is better defined as the need for collegiality and communion. “Synodality” translates in this context into an approach to the central synodal priority of listening via an institutional procedure and serves to provide greater transparency. Every request received by a Vatican dicastery from the faithful must be recorded, entrusted to a responsible person, and responded to.</p>
<p>Previously, this procedure was not required by the dicasteries, although it was standard practice to record requests for archival reasons. The requirement for a response, however, introduces a safeguard for the faithful. The decision can also be interpreted in light of cases of abuse reported but never addressed.</p>
<p>Under the new regulations, the dicasteries are also called upon to exchange opinions, involve the Secretariat of State in sensitive matters, and submit periodic and annual reports. This, too, is not new. Collaboration between dicasteries was part of the “philosophy” of the previous Curia reforms under St. John Paul II and formed a specific working methodology. </p>
<p>Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, then Secretary of State, outlined the need for consultation and coordination with the Secretariat of State on Jan. 28, 2013, during an interdepartmental meeting in which they discussed how to prepare and submit documents. This was the period following the first Vatileaks scandal, marked by the shock of documents leaking directly from the papal desk of Benedict XVI.</p>
<p>This requirement is no longer just a working method, but has become part of the procedure. Moreover, it has become part of the procedure for Curia officials to consult with the local bishop when they must take action regarding a diocese, and with major superiors when a decision concerns Institutes of Consecrated Life.</p>
<h3>Next Steps Under Leo XIV</h3>
<p>This is not a Copernican revolution, but rather an administrative overhaul aimed at curbing certain “bad practices.” The regulations are now a guideline.</p>
<p>Leo XIV could continue adjustments to the Curia reform desired by Pope Francis. So far, the current Pope has intervened on two minor issues: He reinstated an office <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-11/pope-leo-apostleship-of-the-sea-canonical-legal-entity.html">for the pastoral care of seafarers</a>, and he allowed dicasteries <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/cna/pope-leo-xiv-allows-outside-banks-to-manage-holy-see-investments">to invest outside the Institute for the Works of Religion</a>, the so-called “Vatican bank,” reversing a decision made by Pope Francis.</p>
<p>There will likely be further changes to ensure smooth operation. However, the work of revising the regulations has been completed, providing a crucial framework for the next steps.</p>
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What the Vatican’s New Curia Rules Change — and Why They Matter| National Catholic Register
