Women lead change: Pope Leo XIV names Lucy Esipila Consultor to the Vatican
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Pope Leo XIV appointed Lucy Afandi Esipila as a Consultor to the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
- Esipila, who currently leads Caritas Africa, is among 12 global experts and one of three Africans named to the new cohort of consultors
- Her five-year term starts September 1, 2026, and follows Kenya establishing its first resident diplomatic mission to the Holy See in July 2026
Kenya's Lucy Afandi Esipila has been appointed Consultor to the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development by Pope Leo XIV, with the announcement made on August 18, 2026.
Esipila, who currently serves as Regional Coordinator and Regional Executive Secretary of Caritas Africa, is reported to be the first woman to head the Caritas Africa pastoral network.
Her five-year term in the Vatican advisory role begins September 1, 2026.
Who is Lucy Esipila?
Esipila's humanitarian career began in 2012 at a diocesan radio station within the Catholic Diocese of Maralal in northern Kenya, where she worked alongside pastoralist communities on water security, food security, resource conflict management and climate resilience.
She later rose to become National Coordinator for Research, Communications and Advocacy at Caritas Kenya, engaging with institutions including the African Union, European Union and United Nations on policy and strategy.
Her professional focus spans human rights, climate action, humanitarian work and pastoral care.
What is Lucy's role about?
As a Consultor, Esipila will provide technical expertise to one of the Vatican's central humanitarian bodies, which addresses issues of poverty, migration, healthcare, environmental protection, ecology and humanitarian relief globally.
Consultors participate in periodic meetings and prepare specialised briefs that inform Vatican policy on social and humanitarian matters.
Esipila joins the dicastery following a leadership restructuring by Pope Leo XIV in June 2026, which saw Sister Alessandra Smerilli appointed as Prefect and Cardinal Fabio Baggio named Pro-Prefect.
She is one of 12 global experts appointed to the new cohort of consultors and one of three Africans in the group.
The other two African appointees are Fr. Emmanuel Katongole, a Ugandan theologian and peace scholar based at the University of Notre Dame, and Omer S. Combary, a Burkinabè agricultural economist.
The appointment comes at a moment of growing diplomatic ties between Kenya and the Holy See.
In July 2026, Kenya established its first resident diplomatic mission to the Vatican, and President William Ruto appointed Kenya's first resident ambassador to the Holy See.
See the post below:
What position was Father Obed appointed to?
TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about the appointment of Father Obed Muriungi Karobia as the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, a move aimed at strengthening the church's leadership in a rapidly evolving urban environment.
His elevation not only marks a historic moment for the Franciscan family in Kenya but also brings renewed hope for social justice and service to vulnerable communities in the heart of Nairobi.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.