Maria Domenica Melone

Mary Melone, S.F.A. (born 1964) is an Italian Franciscan religious sister and theologian specialising in the life and thought of Saint Anthony of Padua. Since October 2014, she has served as the Rector of the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome. She was the first woman to head a pontifical university.

Life Born Maria Domenica Melone, she joined the Franciscan Sisters of Blessed Angela of Foligno (Suore Francescane Angeline in Italian) after graduating from high school. She took her temporary vows in 1986, and professed her perpetual vows in 1991. In 2014, she was elected by the Congregation for Catholic Education as the Rector of the Pontifical University Antonianum. She is the first woman to head a pontifical university. She was installed as rector on 22 October 2014.

Melone has also served as President of the Italian Society for Theological Research.