Pope Francis’ Catholic church reform process ends without giving more equity to women

Pope Francis recently closed a yearslong reform process for the Catholic Church, with recommendations that did not give women as much equity as hoped. The pope emphasized the importance of listening more to followers and not issuing a teaching document from the recommendations. The contentious question of allowing women to be ordained as deacons was left open. The final recommendations do not have a clear impact or authority. Advocates argue that allowing women to be deacons would help address the shortage of priests, while opponents fear it could lead to ordaining women as priests. Despite hopes for change, especially for women, the outcome of the synod process is seen as a disappointment by many. Pope Francis has emphasized empowering women in the church through means other than ordination.