World · Europe · 1 day ago
Pope appoints a more globally diverse International Theological Commission
Pope Leo XIV appointed members to the International Theological Commission for a five-year term running from 2026 to 2031.
The Vatican body advises the Holy See, especially its office for doctrine, on important and current theological questions.
The commission now has 30 members, up from 28 in the previous term.
Europe has 13 members, while Asia and Africa each have four; the group also includes members from North and South America and Australia.
Women now make up eight members, including five lay women, and lay members of both sexes total eight.
The appointments reflect a broader range of regions and church experiences, while continuing work on how the Church can understand and put synodality into practice.
The commission’s plenary meeting is scheduled for 23–27 November.
Pope Leo XIV appointed members to the International Theological Commission for the 2026–2031 term, increasing its membership from 28 to 30.
The commission now includes 13 members from Europe, four from Asia, four from Africa, three from North America, five from South America and one from Australia.
Women make up eight members, including five laywomen, and lay members total eight.
The commission advises the Holy See, particularly the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, on important and current doctrinal questions.
Its plenary meeting is scheduled for 23–27 November.
- Who
- Pope Leo XIV appointed 30 members to the International Theological Commission.
- What
- He appointed new members and renewed the mandates of others for the 2026–2031 term.
- When
- 19 October 2026.
- Where
- The appointments were made by the Pope; the commission is a Vatican body. Its November plenary is scheduled in Rome.
- Why
- The commission helps the Holy See, particularly the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, examine important and current doctrinal questions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pope Francis appointed members for the previous five-year term.
Pope Leo XIV appointed new commission members and renewed the mandates of others for the 2026–2031 term.
Ángel Cordovilla spoke publicly about his appointment and the commission’s work.
The commission’s plenary meeting is scheduled to take place.
- Term
- 2026–2031
- Membership
- 30, up from 28 in the previous term
- Women members
- 8, including 5 laywomen
- Lay members
- 8 in total
- Continental representation
- Europe 13; Asia 4; Africa 4; North America 3; South America 5; Australia 1
- Plenary meeting
- 23–27 November
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What people are saying
I receive it with joy; one feels honoured that the Pope appoints you to work in service of the Church at an institution with a long history, although immediately you also begin to think that it is a great responsibility and ask yourself: Will I be up to it?
The Pope Leo XIV has placed human dignity in the first order