Pope Leo XIV Appoints Dr. Vera Songwe to Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Dr. Vera Songwe, a renowned Kenyan-born economist and Cameroonian citizen, as an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS).
The appointment was officially announced by the Holy See Press Office on Monday, March 9, 2026. Dr. Songwe, who currently serves as co-chair of the Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance, brings extensive expertise in global economic development, climate policy, and African affairs to the prestigious Vatican institution. Established by Pope St. John Paul II in 1994, PASS promotes the study of social sciences—including economics, sociology, law, and political science—to support the Church's social doctrine and address contemporary societal challenges through dialogue and research.
Born in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 31, 1968, Dr. Songwe holds degrees in economics and political sciences from the University of Michigan and a doctorate in mathematical economics from the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium. Her career spans key international roles, including nearly two decades at the World Bank in various leadership positions across West and Central Africa, Director for the region at the International Finance Corporation, and from 2017 to 2022, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa. She is also the founder and president of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility and a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution's Africa Growth Initiative.
This appointment underscores Pope Leo XIV's emphasis on incorporating diverse global perspectives, particularly from Africa, into the Vatican's reflections on pressing issues like sustainable development and climate finance. It comes amid anticipation for the Pontiff's upcoming apostolic journey, including a visit to Cameroon scheduled for April 15–18, 2026. Dr. Songwe's inclusion in PASS highlights recognition of her contributions to bridging economic policy with ethical and social considerations, further enriching the Academy's multidisciplinary approach to informing Catholic social teaching in the modern world.
