Pope Francis. Photo: Simon Kremer/picture alliance via Getty Images
Pope Francis urged the Catholic Church to be attentive to women’s "legitimate claims" for equality and justice in a letter released on Tuesday, acknowledging that the institution has a long history of "male authoritarianism, domination, various forms of enslavement" and sexual abuse of women and children, per the AP.
Yes, but: Pope Francis also noted that the Church cannot agree with "everything some feminist groups propose" — a clear reference to the Vatican's ban on a female priesthood — and he stopped short of recommending improvements for women’s roles in the Church.