Number of female employees at the Vatican is growing

The number of women working at the Vatican has risen sharply in recent years.

According to Vatican Radio, the number of female employees at the Vatican City State has nearly doubled over the past decade, raising the percentage from 13 per cent to 19 per cent.

In the offices of the Holy See, meanwhile, the number of women in the workforce has grown by more than 100 in four years, although the percentage of female employees has not changed very much.

There are 391 women in the workforce of the Holy See compared to 288 in 2010. The proportion has risen from 17 per cent to 18 per cent.

The Holy See governs the universal Church and includes the Roman Curia and Vatican Radio. The Vatican City State encompasses the Vatican Museums and the Vatican Post Office as well as the government of the city state.