Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has given several women positions of responsibility in the Vatican.
From Sr. Nathalie Becquart in the General Secretariat of the Synod or Sr. Raffaella Petrini in the Governorate of the Vatican City State to Dr. Francesca Di Giovanni in the Secretariat of State.
POPE FRANCIS
A Church without women is like the group of apostles without Mary.
The question of the role of women in the Church and in society has become a recurring theme during the Pope's customary in-flight press conferences returning from papal visits.
On some occasions, he has used harsh words against those who use women as objects.
POPE FRANCIS
God did not create man and then gave him a dog to play with, no. He made two, equals, man and woman.
And returning from Africa, Pope Francis was moved by the strength of religious women who risk their lives in countries at war and the many women who, alone or practically without help, care for entire families in difficult situations, like in South Sudan.
POPE FRANCIS
Let's go back to the strength of a woman. We have to take her seriously and not use her only as a make-up advertisement. Please, this is an insult to the woman. The woman is made for greater things!
The Pope has also met with women who have escaped from underground prostitution and human trafficking networks.
With regard to the theological perspective, from the beginning, Pope Francis has stressed that there is no place in the Catholic Church for the female priesthood. However, this does not stop him from encouraging a theological reflection on women.
PA/JRB
TR: KG
