Appointment of Under-Secretaries of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

On 5 November 2026, the Holy Father appointed as Under-Secretaries of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) Fr. Avelino Chicoma Bundo Chico, SJ, until now Head of Office in the same Dicastery, and Professor Claudia Leal Luna, Full Professor of Fundamental Theology of the Family at the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences, Rome.  

The two Under-Secretaries met with all DPIHD staff and had the opportunity to share some words. Fr. Chico thanked the Holy Father and the Superiors of the Dicastery for the trust already placed in him over these years and expressed particular gratitude “with regard to this new appointment.” He also said that he thinks of this new role in terms of three words: presence, commitment, and witness. “The responsibility that awaits me,” he said, “is demanding and challenging, but I feel supported by God, my Superiors, and everyone. The words God addressed to Jeremiah echo in my ears and in my heart: ‘Do not say, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you’ (Jer. 1:7–8).

Professor Leal also wished to express words of thanks to Pope Leo XIV for the trust placed in her and added that she is “grateful to the Lord for ‘all the great good done for me’ (Psalm 116:12).” Addressing all the DPIHD staff, she said she is aware of joining “work that is already under way, alongside the Prefect, Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, the Pro-Prefect, Cardinal Fabio Baggio, and the Secretary, Msgr. Jozef Barlaš.” Speaking of her personal experience, she said: “I was born in Chile, have lived in several countries, and today, together with my family, I am in Rome. Every border crossed has confirmed for me that human development always has a face and a name, and that in the Church no one is a stranger. Through my experience at the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences, I have learned that in every culture the family is the first place where human development takes the form of care.” She then entrusted her new task to Saint John XXIII, “the Good Pope, so that he may teach me to serve with his gentleness and trust, in that Church which he wished to be ‘the Church of all.’”    

The Superiors and Officials joyfully welcome the two Under-Secretaries on this new journey of service to the Holy See.