Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly allow women to do more things during Mass, while reaffirming they cannot be priests.
Francis amended the law to formalise what is common practice in many parts of the world: that women can read the Gospel and serve on the altar as eucharistic ministers. Previously, such roles were officially reserved to men even though exceptions were made.
Francis said he was making the change to increase recognition of the precious contribution women make in the church, while emphasising that all baptised Catholics have a role to play in the church's mission.
But he also noted that doing so further makes a distinction between ordained ministries such as the priesthood, and ministries open to qualified laity. The Vatican reserves the priesthood for men.