‘Women in Church’ tops Pope's reform agenda

Pope Francis opened the second phase of his big Catholic reform project on Wednesday, with widespread calls for women to take up more positions of responsibility in the church topping the agenda but ordained ministry still ruled out.

Francis presided over an opening Mass in St. Peter's Square with the 368 bishops and lay people. The former will meet behind closed doors for the next three weeks to discuss the future of the church and how to make it more responsive to the needs of Catholics today.

Several of the most contentious issues are officially off the table, after they encountered resistance and objections during the first session of the synod, or meeting, last year. They include ministering to LGBTQ+ Catholics and allowing women to serve as deacons.