Dicastery for Evangelization

In Praedicate evangelium, the Dicastery for Evangelization is listed first among the departments of the Roman Curia. This placement is widely interpreted as indicating its primacy among the dicasteries. For the past 500 years, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and its equivalents had traditionally held this position. During the press conference presenting the apostolic constitution, Bishop Marco Mellino stated that while the order of the dicasteries in Praedicate evangelium has no juridical effect, the sequence of the first three "perhaps" holds significance: evangelization (Dicastery for Evangelization) comes before doctrine (Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith), which is closely followed by charity (Dicastery for the Service of Charity). == Organization ==

The Dicastery for Evangelization was formed through the merger of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. According to Praedicate evangelium, the dicastery is divided into two sections: one dealing with fundamental questions of evangelization in the world, and the other with first evangelization and the establishment of new particular churches within its territorial competence. == Hierarchy ==

The leadership structure of the Dicastery for Evangelization is unique among the dicasteries of the Roman Curia; Praedicate evangelium stipulates that the incumbent pope serves as its prefect, assisted by two pro-prefects. Prefects • Pope Francis (5 June 2022 – 21 April 2025) • Pope Leo XIV (8 May 2025 – present) Pro-Prefect for the Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization in the World • Rino Fisichella (5 June 2022 – present) Pro-Prefect for the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches • Luis Antonio Tagle (5 June 2022 – present) == References ==