Pope Francis expands role of women in Mass but priesthood reserved for men
Pope Francis has changed Church law to explicitly allow women to do more things during Mass, while continuing to affirm that they cannot be priests.
Francis amended the law to formalise and institutionalise what is common practice in many parts of the world: that women can read the Gospel and serve on the altar as eucharistic ministers.
Previously, such roles were officially reserved to men even though exceptions were made.
