Pope Francis and Cardinal Advisors Conclude Session on Women's Role, Synodality, and Evangelization

From February 5-7, Pope Francis and his council of cardinal advisors—the 'C9'—concluded a pivotal session at the Casa Santa Marta, the Pope's residence. This assembly, marked by international representation and recently renewed by Pope Francis on March 7, 2023, concentrated on the role of women in the Church, synodality, and evangelization.

A Council of Global Cardinals

The C9 council, comprised of Cardinals from diverse parts of the globe, is tasked with assisting the Pope in governing the Universal Church. The council's mission also includes studying revisions to the Roman Curia, a project that was realized through the publication of the Apostolic Constitution 'Praedicate Evangelium' on March 19, 2022. Guiding the council's endeavors is Monsignor Marco Mellino.

Women in the Church

The February session witnessed three women—Sister Linda Pocher, Giuliva Di Berardino, and the Rev. Dr. Jo Bailey Wells—sharing their reflections on the role of women in the Church. This exploration of women's presence in Church affairs signifies a transformative stride towards inclusivity and recognition of women's contribution to religious practices.

Synodality and Evangelization

Further, the council engaged in deliberations on synodality and evangelization, enriched by reports from Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. These discussions offer an insightful glimpse into the Church's commitment towards intensifying its evangelization efforts and promoting a synodal Church that fosters participation and co-responsibility.

The insights gleaned from the February session will guide the council's future discussions, with the next session scheduled after Easter in April. This information comes courtesy of the Holy See Press Office, following the Pope's general audience with the faithful.