Pope gives more roles to women

POPE FRANCIS has changed church law to explicitly allow women to do more things during Mass, while continuing to affirm that they cannot be priests.

Francis amended the law to formalise and institutionalise what is common practice in many parts of the world – that women can read the Gospel and serve on the altar as eucharistic ministers.

Francis said he was making the change to increase recognition of the “precious contribution” women make in the church, but the Vatican still reserves the priesthood for men.