Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
Women wait to read intentions as Pope Francis celebrates Mass of Thanksgiving for canonization of two Canadian saints.

The challenge to find new ways for women to be “full participants in the various areas of social and ecclesial life…can no longer be postponed,” said Pope Francis, speaking on Feb. 7 with members of the Pontifical Council for Culture. The pope said a “more widespread and incisive female presence” in the church “is desirable, so that we can see many women involved in pastoral responsibilities, in the accompaniment of persons, families and groups, as well as in theological reflection.” He added that the “irreplaceable role of women in the family” cannot be forgotten. Women must not be left alone to carry the burden of deciding between the family and an effective presence in public life, Pope Francis said. “Rather,” he said, “all institutions, including the ecclesial community, are called to ensure freedom of choice for women, so that they have the possibility to take on social and ecclesial responsibilities in a way that is in harmony with family life.”

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

The latest from america

Pope Francis, after opening the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, gives his homily during the Christmas Mass at Night Dec. 24, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
‘If God can visit us, even when our hearts seem like a lowly manger, we can truly say: Hope is not dead; hope is alive and it embraces our lives forever!’
Pope FrancisDecember 24, 2024
Inspired by his friend and mentor Henri Nouwen, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, leader of Ukrainian Catholics in the U.S., invites listeners in his Christmas Eve homily to approach the manger with renewed awe and openness.
PreachDecember 23, 2024
A Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, by Father Terrance Klein
Terrance KleinDecember 23, 2024
While Chesterton wrote on a vast number of subjects, Christmas was a favorite.
Maria Wiering - OSV NewsDecember 23, 2024