Pope Francis appoints first woman to the Synod of Bishops

 The Pope has appointed a woman as an undersecretary to the Synod of Bishops for the first time.

Sister Nathalie Becquart, who is from France, will have voting rights in the body, which advises the pontiff and debates some of the most controversial issues in the Roman Catholic Church.

Ms Becquart has worked with the synod as a consultant since 2019.

The body's secretary-general, Cardinal Mario Grech, said the appointment showed that "a door has opened".

He noted that the decision reflects the Pope's desire "for a greater participation of women in the process of discernment and decision-making in the church".

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55966178