VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has appointed two new members to the Commission, strengthening its international expertise in safeguarding, public health, and law.

The new members are Dr Susan Lynn Bissell of Canada, a global leader in child protection, and Laurent Delvolvé of France, a lawyer specialising in civil, criminal, and canon law with a focus on safeguarding within the Church.

Their appointment reflects the Holy Father’s continued support for the Commission’s work to promote the protection of minors and vulnerable persons worldwide.

The Commission’s President, Bishop Thibault Verny, welcomed the appointments, describing them as “a further sign of the Holy Father’s constant attention to and support for the Commission.” He also expressed gratitude to the new members for their willingness to serve, as well as to the Search Committee for its work.

Dr Bissell brings more than three decades of experience across international development, public health, and human rights. She has held senior leadership roles within UNICEF, including Chief of Child Protection and Associate Director in the Programme Division, where she oversaw initiatives in more than 150 countries. She also served as Founding Director of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, leading the development of its global strategy and governance structures.

Currently a Visiting Scholar at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dr Bissell has focused her work on advancing evidence-based approaches to preventing violence against children and strengthening cooperation among governments, civil society, and international organisations.

Laurent Delvolvé joins the Commission with nearly three decades of legal experience at the Paris Bar, with expertise spanning civil, criminal, and canon law. He has advised the French Bishops’ Conference and several dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Paris, on safeguarding policies and procedures.

His work has included the development of governance frameworks, reporting protocols, and victim support mechanisms, as well as fostering collaboration between Church authorities and public prosecutors. He has also contributed to the establishment of national reparation mechanisms in France and regularly engages in safeguarding discussions at the European level.

Delvolvé holds advanced degrees in public and private law from Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas and Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and is admitted to practice law in France.

The appointments come as the Commission continues its work to support the Church in developing effective safeguarding practices, promoting accountability, and ensuring that the protection of minors remains a central priority.

The official announcement of the appointments was made through the Press Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office.