VATICAN CITY—Former Hong Kong governor Lord Patten has been charged with advising Pope Francis on how to reform the Vatican's communications strategy.

Patten, who quit his role as chairman of the BBC Trust two months ago, will be president of an 11-member committee made up of six experts from around the world and five Vatican officials.

The committee will aim to make proposals within the next year, in a bid to modenise the Vatican's communications and media approach. In particular, it is understood that the Vatican wants to become more adept at using digital media to reach a younger audience.

The appointment comes after the Vatican last year hired McKinsey to investigate its communications strategy. The moves are part of Pope Francis' efforts to overhaul the Vatican's operations.

The Vatican has six separate communications departments, including a press and internet office and a communications council. It also has a newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, and a radio station, Vatican Radio, which broadcasts in 40 languages.