Francesca Ramos, a junior at The Catholic University of America majoring in Theology & Religious Studies
and Global Studies in Chinese, is gaining first-hand experience in international diplomacy through her internship with the Holy See’s Mission to the Organization of American States (OAS).
In this role, Ramos assists Monsignor Juan Antonio Cruz Serrano, the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the OAS, by attending high-level meetings of the OAS Permanent Council, General Council, and specialized committees on security, defense, and the ongoing crisis in Haiti. She also takes part in special meetings on the OAS budget. Her work includes drafting detailed reports and analyses that are sent to the Vatican in Rome, providing valuable insights that support the Holy See’s multilateral diplomatic mission.
Beyond reporting, Ramos contributes research that bridges theology, history, and diplomacy. One of her current projects examines the Holy See’s intervention during the OAS’s response to the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s, underscoring the Vatican’s longstanding role as a moral voice within international institutions.
As part of her internship, Ramos recently traveled to Rome and Vatican City, where she was honored with the opportunity to meet Pope Leo XIV.
Looking ahead, Ramos plans to pursue graduate studies in Canon Law and international diplomacy. Her long-term goal is to serve persecuted Catholic communities in China, uniting her academic formation with her faith and commitment to the global Church’s mission.