Besides taking up the challenge of exploring new frontiers of evangelization in Africa, Asia and Latin America, Brazilian women religious have also become evangelizers of the “old continent,” Europe, where female vocations have radically declined in recent decades.

Increasing the visibility of women and tapping the wisdom they offer will surely encourage laypeople around the world. Religious sisters and nuns were ranked more trustworthy than bishops, priests and the Vatican in a recent survey of U.S. Catholics sponsored by America.

We should always heed the words of the Lord and “be not afraid” to talk about challenging questions and how they affect our faith lives.

To date women haven’t been able to vote—not even the religious superiors who participate as representatives of the world’s 641,000 nuns.

The appointment makes her the highest ranking woman in the Roman Curia.

The three women join a prestigious group of around 80 scientists in all who are members of the Academy, 20 others of whom are also Nobel laureates.