Pope Francis has initiated the second phase of his Catholic reform project, focusing on increasing the involvement of women in church leadership roles. The three-week synod, attended by 368 bishops and laypeople, aims to address the evolving needs of Catholics today.
While some contentious issues, such as ministering to LGBTQ+ Catholics and women serving as deacons, have been excluded from the agenda, they are being studied separately by 10 research groups. The synod seeks to create a more inclusive and participatory church, where ordinary Catholics have a greater voice in decision-making.
