Pope Francis has decided to give women the right to vote at an upcoming meeting of bishops, an unprecedented change that reflects his hopes to give women greater decision-making responsibilities in the life of the Catholic Church.
Francis approved changes to the norms governing the Synod of Bishops, a Vatican body that gathers the world’s bishops together for periodic meetings.
The Vatican published the modifications he approved, which emphasize his vision for the lay faithful taking on a greater role in church affairs that have long been left to clerics, bishops, and cardinals.
For decades, women have demanded the right to vote at synods, the next of which is scheduled for October.
Until now, the only people who could vote were men. Under the new changes, five religious sisters will join five priests as voting representatives for religious orders.