Women’s role in Church tops Pope Francis' agenda in reform project

Earlier talks concluded it was 'urgent' to guarantee fuller participation by women in church governance, but ordainment still out

ROME — Pope Francis opened the second phase of his big Catholic reform project 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 laypeople who 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.