Pope opens Vatican meeting as battle lines drawn on his reform project

Pope Francis is convening a global gathering of bishops and laypeople to discuss the future of the Catholic Church (AP)

Pope Francis has opened a major meeting on the future of the Catholic Church, with progressives hoping it will lead to more women in leadership roles and conservatives warning that church doctrine on everything from homosexuality to the hierarchy’s authority is at risk.

Francis presided over a solemn Mass in St Peter’s Square to formally open the meeting, with hundreds of clergy from around the world celebrating on the altar before the rank-and-file Catholic laypeople whose presence and influence at this meeting marks a decisive shift for the Catholic Church.