International Women’s Day: Pope Francis Says Equal Opportunities For Women Are Key To A Better World
Pope Francis has decried violence and prejudice against women, saying that granting equal pay and opportunities could help create a more peaceful world, as a new survey of Catholic women showed that many felt the Church discriminated against them.
In a book preface published by the Vatican News website on International Women’s Day, Pope Francis stressed the differences between men and women but called for “equality in diversity” on “a playing field open to all players.”
“I like to think that if women could enjoy full equality of opportunity, they could contribute substantially to the necessary change towards a world of peace, inclusion, solidarity and integral sustainability,” the pope said.
He had in the past, condemned discrimination against women but, ruled out female priesthood.
The Catholic Church teaches that only men can become priests because Jesus chose men as his apostles.
In the preface of the book titled: More Women’s Leadership for a Better World, the Pope extolled the differences between men and women.
“They are more attentive to protecting the environment, their gaze is not turned to the past but to the future,” he said.
Francis said women need to get equal remuneration with men for equal roles and described ongoing pay gaps as “a serious injustice.”
He condemned the “plague” of violence against women, recalling a speech he delivered in 2021 when he called it “an open wound resulting from a patriarchal and macho culture of oppression.”
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