Pope Francis appoints first woman to senior synod role

Pope Francis has appointed 52-year-old French Sister Nathalie Becquart as an undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, the Vatican announced on Saturday.

Why it matters: She's the first woman to be appointed to the synod, which advises the pope and has voting rights. The pontiff has expressed support for women playing a more leading role in the Catholic Church, though he hasn't advocated to overturn the Vatican's female priesthood ban.