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What Ouellet tells us about Leo and lay governance

The new pope seems to want to debate reforms on their theological merits, not an ecclesiology of 'because I can.'

Ed. Condon
Feb 16, 2026
∙ Paid
Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square. Credit: Pillar Media.

Pope Leo XIV confirmed on Monday the members of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, including the two women appointed by Pope Francis to the body — the first lay people to serve at the highest level for one of the most senior Vatican departments.

At the same time, Leo added a third woman, Sr. Simo…

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