Pope Francis to examine role of women deacons

Pope Francis has set up a panel to study whether women could serve as deacons, a role now reserved to men.

The Vatican said Francis “after intense prayer and mature reflection” decided to set up the commission, with 12 members — six men and six women — including priests, nuns and laywomen.

It noted he had told superiors of nuns’ orders in May he intended to “set up an official commission to study the question” of the diaconate for women “above all regarding the early times of the Church”.