Pope Francis' Catholic church reform process ends without giving more equity to women

Pope Francis’ yearslong process to reform the Catholic Church has closed with recommendations that fell far short of giving women more equity as hoped. They call for women to be allowed all opportunities that Church law already provides while leaving open the contentious question of allowing women to be ordained as deacons. In a significant move, the pope says he will not issue a teaching document from the recommendations. As a result, it remains unclear what if any authority they will have. Deacons perform many of the same functions as priests, such as presiding over baptisms, weddings and funerals, but they cannot celebrate Mass.