Pope Francis Opens Synod Focused on Women’s Roles and Church Reform

The three-week Vatican summit aims to address greater participation for women and reconcile the church’s past sins.

Pope Francis initiated the second phase of his reform project, emphasizing increased roles for women in the Catholic Church.
The synod, which runs until October 26, includes 368 participants, with 85 women, 54 of whom have voting rights.
Key topics include the potential for women to hold significant positions in church governance and canonical courts, though ordination remains off the table.
Francis urged participants to listen and engage in genuine dialogue to foster inclusivity and responsiveness to modern Catholic needs.
A penitential ceremony marked the synod’s opening, where church leaders asked forgiveness for past sins against abuse victims, the poor, and marginalized groups.