Catholic Media Association congratulates Montserrat Alvarado on Vatican appointment

CHICAGO (June 3, 2026) — Kerry Weber, president of the Catholic Media Association, and Rob DeFrancesco, executive director, issued a statement today congratulating Maria Montserrat Alvarado on her appointment by Pope Leo XIV as prefect of the Dicastery for Communication.

Their joint statement follows:

“We are grateful for the Holy Father’s appointment of Maria Montserrat Alvarado as the next Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication. We extend our most sincere and heartfelt congratulations to Montse as she prepares to assume this vital leadership role for the universal Church.

“For years, Montse and the Eternal Word Television Network have been outstanding supporters of the Catholic Media Association and its members. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering dedication to Catholic journalism and communications. Through her leadership, Montse has continually helped strengthen, evangelize and elevate the quality and reach of Catholic media. We are confident she will bring this same energy, expertise and collaborative spirit to her work at the Holy See.

“We also express our profound gratitude to the outgoing Prefect, Dr. Paolo Ruffini, for his dedicated service to the Church and his stewardship of the Dicastery. We thank him for his tireless efforts in guiding the Vatican’s communication initiatives over the years and pray for God’s blessing upon his future endeavors.

“As Montse transitions into this historic new chapter, she does so with our respect, support and prayers. May the Holy Spirit guide her in this new mission to proclaim the Gospel and foster communion through the global reach of Catholic media.”