Vatican City, Oct 12, 2013 / 07:36 am
Pope Francis met with experts on women's issues today in Rome, affirming that the Church must continue to work for a more profound understanding of women and their roles.
"Also in the Church it is important to ask ourselves: what presence does woman have? Can it be valued more?" the Pope asked.
He met with experts who had participated in a seminar marking the 25th anniversary of Blessed John Paul II's apostolic letter, "On the Dignity and Vocation of Women." The three-day seminar was sponsored by the Pontifical Council of the Laity.
Pope Francis said the presence of women in the Church is "a reality that is very much on my heart." He said he wanted to meet the seminar participants "and bless you and your task."