“Montse” Alvarado, Pope Leo’s surprise “minister”

This particular appointment did not fail to surprise many observers. Born in Mexico, naturalized and graduated in the United States, jazz singer and polyglot, “Montse” Alvarado has long worked in associations defending, on the legal level, religious freedom and “pro-life” provisions. Since 2023, she has chaired and managed the major Catholic news outlet EWTN News for Eternal Word Television Network which broadcasts in seven languages, in more than 160 countries. Although its media are not monolithic, EWTN was often mentioned for its conservative line, its proximity to the Maga camp and its criticism of Francis’ pontificate. The Argentine Pope, in person, criticized EWTN’s line. It is also this same channel which had discredited Cardinal Prevost just before the conclave which was going to elect him, about an alleged affair of sexual abuse in Peru.

Abortion was the great “conflict of conscience” that shook King Baudouin: “Jesus, you must help me”

With the choice of this experienced 47-year-old woman, Leo As always in the Church, the postures are however unclassifiable. As noted in Rome Neither Republicthe new prefect also cultivates fibers described as progressive: she who migrated as a child to the United States confided “having experienced that she was not brave enough to be American.”