Pope Leo XIV has promulgated a new constitution for Vatican City State, formally enshrining the possibility for a non-cardinal to serve as president of its governing body.
The new laws, making up the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State, were published on July 31. They replace the 2023 constitution by Pope Francis, which emphasized papal authority over the sovereign state.
In an explanatory note, the Vatican said the new law responded to government and regulatory changes in recent years.
Non-cardinal eligibility for Vatican presidency enshrined in Fundamental Law
The most direct change in the 2026 law concerned the presidency and composition of the Vatican's pontifical commission and governorate.
In 2025, Pope Francis appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini, FSE, as the first woman and first non-cardinal to serve as president of both the Pontifical Commission and the Governorate. Although the 2023 law already allowed non-cardinals to be members of the commission, its presidency had been reserved to a cardinal.
The Vatican subsequently said Francis had modified the Fundamental Law in connection with Petrini's appointment. In November 2025, Leo XIV issued a motu proprio expressly providing that non-cardinals could serve as president. The 2026 constitution now incorporates that change into the state's Fundamental Law.
In 2025, Leo XIV issued a motu proprio (a decree by the pope's own initiative) to legally allow non-cardinals to serve on the commission of Vatican City State. With his 2026 constitution, that change is now codified into the state's law.
Other changes
Other changes in Leo's 2026 constitution included changes in the role of the general councilor. It allows for the general councilor to participate in commission meetings and provide consultation.
The 2026 law also specified the role of the secretary-general, who will implement the policies of the president.
Leo XIV's new constitution is the fourth since the creation of Vatican City State in 1929. Following its Lateran Treaty with Italy that year, the first constitution was established and remained the law of the sovereign state until St. John Paul II replaced it in 2000.
