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Sr. Alessandra Smerilli

Sr. Alessandra Smerilli. Credit: Sr. Agnes Njeri/Hilton Foundation

“We are learning from Africa”: Vatican Official Lauds Church in Africa’s Conservation, Human Dignity Initiatives

Aug 18, 2025

The Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (PIHD) has lauded the Church in Africa for spearheading initiatives towards conservation and human dignity.

Sr. Alessandra Smerilli speaks at a press conference at the Vatican on July 7, 2020. Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Pope Francis Names Salesian Sister Secretary of Vatican’s Social Development Office

Aug 28, 2021

Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, 46, was appointed ‘ad interim.’

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Today, December 4, We Celebrate St. John of Damascus

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