The pope’s response surprised some who believed he was open to the possibility of ordaining women as deacons.

A poet and a woman religious whose work often appeared in America, M. Madeleva Wolff, C.S.C., is known for much more than her verse. She was also a pioneer in Catholic education in the United States.

The church helped me heal after my miscarriage. That’s what every grieving mother deserves.

In a piece published online in America in March, Katie Owens Mulcahy urged the church to “[recognize] the gifts of diaconal women all around us, inviting spirited debate from readers.

Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals continued their discussions about the role of women in the church, listening to women experts, including a professor who spoke about how culture impacts women’s roles and status.

The meetings of Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinal Advisors generally do not garner much attention, but since last year’s synod, they have made headlines thanks to a series of presentations organized by Sister Linda Pocher, F.M.A.