Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Sister Nina Benedikta Krapić as the new deputy director of the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican announced on Friday.
She succeeds Cristiane Murray, who is stepping down after serving in the role since July 2019. Murray met the Pope earlier in the day before the announcement was released in the daily bulletin of the press office.
Sister Nina, a Croatian religious sister and member of the Sisters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, will officially assume her new responsibilities on March 1, 2026. Until now, she has been serving as an official at the Dicastery for Communication.
Born in Rijeka, Croatia, on June 7, 1989, Sister Nina earned a law degree from the University of Rijeka in 2015 and later specialized in public relations at the University of Zagreb in 2023. She made her perpetual vows on August 13, 2023.
Before joining the Vatican’s communication office, she worked as a journalist and served as a legal adviser assisting women affected by domestic violence and other vulnerable groups. She also led communications for Caritas of the Archdiocese of Rijeka.
Since 2023, she has worked at the Dicastery for Communication and is currently pursuing a doctorate in social sciences at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, expressed gratitude for Murray’s service and welcomed the new appointment.
He praised Murray for her dedication and professionalism and said he is confident that Sister Nina will bring strong professional ability and human sensitivity to her new role.