The Italian journalist, 70 years old, will officially leave the position this Saturday, October 31, and will be replaced on Sunday, November 1, by Montserrat Alvarado, until now president and chief operating officer of EWTN News.
The farewell ceremony took place at Palazzo Pio, headquarters of the dicastery, where Ruffini received thanks from his collaborators for the work carried out since his appointment in 2018 by Pope Francis.
According to Vatican News reported, the ceremony included applause, a toast, and a blessing given by the priests who work at Vatican News, Vatican Radio, and L’Osservatore Romano.
Ruffini was the first layperson appointed prefect of a dicastery of the Roman Curia. During his tenure, he led the structure that coordinates the main media outlets of the Holy See, currently present in 58 languages.
Ruffini: «I will carry you in my heart»
During his speech, the outgoing prefect thanked the work of those who accompanied him during these eight years and recalled the difficulties faced by the organization.
Ruffini referred to Palazzo Pio as his home during this period and reviewed five words linked to the motu proprio with which Francis created the Secretariat for Communication in June 2015, later converted into a dicastery: transition, handover, journey, joy, and beauty.
With them, he wanted to summarize the experience of these years and the process of integrating the various media outlets of the Holy See.
The Italian journalist concluded his farewell with words addressed to his collaborators: «I will carry you in my heart».
The event marked the end of a stage that began in July 2018, when Francis appointed him prefect of the body responsible for coordinating institutional communication and Vatican media.
Montserrat Alvarado thanks his commitment and his faith
Montserrat Alvarado also spoke at the farewell, who will assume the leadership of the dicastery next Sunday.
The new prefect described the transition as a «historic» moment and highlighted the importance of the organization, which she defined as «the Pope’s instrument of communication».
Addressing Ruffini, she thanked both his work and his personal testimony: «Thank you for your commitment and for your faith».
Alvarado also described the dicastery as an «incredible» institution, referring to the team and the media that make it up.
Her arrival marks a new change in the leadership of Vatican communications. After eight years under Ruffini’s responsibility, the organization will now be headed by a journalist with a broad career in the field of Catholic media.
An EWTN executive at the head of Vatican communications
Leo XIV appointed Montserrat Alvarado on June 2, making her the first laywoman designated to lead the Dicasterio for Communication.
Until her appointment, Alvarado served as president and chief operating officer of EWTN News, one of the main international Catholic news networks.
On August 3, she was received in audience by Leo XIV, in a meeting held during the months prior to her incorporation into the Vatican.
More recently, in an interview published on October 25, the future prefect explained the circumstances of her appointment and stated: «I did not apply».
With her incorporation, Alvarado will assume the responsibility of coordinating the media outlets of the Holy See, including Vatican News, Vatican Radio, and L’Osservatore Romano, as well as the remaining structures that make up the dicastery.
The transition will take effect this Sunday, November 1, when she will officially begin her mandate at the head of Vatican communications.