Pope Leo XIV has promulgated a new constitution for Vatican City State, formally enshrining the eligibility of non-cardinals to serve as president of the governing commission—a shift that codifies into law what was previously a temporary exception. The new constitutional laws were published July 31.
The 2026 constitution replaces the 2023 constitution issued by Pope Francis and represents the fourth such foundational document since Vatican City State’s establishment in 1929 following the Lateran Treaty with Italy. The Vatican stated that the new framework addresses governmental and regulatory developments that have occurred in recent years.
Breaking a Cardinal Precedent
The opening of leadership roles to non-cardinals reflects a significant institutional change. Sister Raffaella Petrini, a religious sister and Vatican diplomat, became the first woman and the first non-cardinal to serve as president of the Pontifical Commission and Governorate when appointed in 2025. Her appointment required Pope Leo XIV to issue a motu proprio—a papal document with the force of law—earlier that year to legally permit non-cardinals on the commission.
Previously, commission membership had been restricted to cardinals, reflecting centuries of Vatican governance tradition. The new constitution consolidates that shift, making non-cardinal eligibility part of the state’s fundamental law rather than a case-by-case exception.
Structural Changes
Under the new constitution, the governing structure has been refined to include enhanced roles for supporting officials. A general councilor is now permitted to attend commission meetings and offer consultation, while a secretary-general will be responsible for implementing the policies established by the president.
The constitution maintains papal authority over the Vatican City State, consistent with the doctrinal emphasis of Pope Francis’s 2023 version. However, the operational framework has been updated to reflect contemporary governance practice.
Continuity and Reform
The new constitution is the first issued by Pope Leo XIV since his election in May 2025. The previous constitutional order, established by St. John Paul II in 2000, served as the governing document for more than two decades before Pope Francis’s 2023 revision and the current update.
The expansion of Vatican leadership beyond the cardinal ranks reflects broader shifts within the Church regarding women’s roles in administration and governance. Sister Petrini’s appointment and the formal codification of non-cardinal eligibility signal a deliberate move toward drawing on a wider pool of qualified administrators and spiritual leaders.
The July 31 publication of the laws allows the Vatican’s civil and ecclesiastical authorities to implement the new framework as they direct the affairs of the sovereign city-state. The constitution establishes the legal architecture within which the Vatican’s government will operate in the years ahead.