Pope Francis has broken with tradition yet again. For the first time in history, the Vatican Museums will be administered by a woman.
Barbara Jatta, 54, is an Italian art historian and graphic arts expert, who had been serving as vice-director of the museums since June of 2016.
The Vatican announced the appointment last month.
She will began her new role as director of the museums on January 1st of this year, replacing Antonio Paolucci, who had been director since 2007.
She began working at the Vatican in 1996 when she was hired to head the Vatican Library's departments of prints. In 2010, she was named curator of the artwork in the prints department at the library.
With degrees in literature, archive administration and art history, specializing in the history of drawing, engraving and graphic arts, Mrs. Jatta also has taught the history of graphic arts at the "Suor Orsola Benincasa" University in Naples. She is married and the mother of three children.
The real story behind this appointment is the fact that, still in 2017, women are being recognized for the qualifications and competence they possess and that this is considered to be newsworthy in itself.
One can only hope that, in the future, news stories will focus upon the unique talents which individuals bring to their appointed positions rather than upon their gender.
That will take place when the world and the Church along with it finally shatter the glass ceiling which far too long has been a barrier to women exercising and employing their God-given talents.
Congratulations to Mrs. Jatta as she takes over the reins at the Vatican Museum complex. Congratulations to Pope Francis for the wisdom and courage he manifests in making such a commendable appointment.
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