Emmanuel Enwenwen

Pope Francis extols the role of women in an address to participants of the international conference “Women in the Church: Builders of Humanity” on Thursday 7^th March at the Clementine Hall in the Vatican.

The papal audience which was the first part of the activities for the two-day conference was attended by many women from different works of life who arrived Rome from different parts of the world for the international Conference. The conference which was hosted by Pontifical University of Santa Croce was sponsored by several pontifical universities as reported by Catholic News Service.

The conference was aimed at highlighting the witness of 10 women noted for their holiness: Sts. Josephine Bakhita, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Mary MacKillop, Laura Montoya, Kateri Tekakwitha, Teresa of Calcutta, Rafqa Pietra Choboq Ar-Rayès, Venerable Magdeleine de Jesus, Blessed Maria Beltrame Quattrocch and Servant of God Daphrose Mukansanga.

Speaking during the audience, the Pope acknowledges that “all these women, at different times and in different cultures, each in her own distinct way, gave proof through initiatives of charity, education, and prayer of how the ‘feminine genius’ can uniquely reflect God’s holiness in the midst of our world.” 

Reflecting further, the Pope highlighted the unique qualities that women bring to the table, noting that their tenderness and compassion are essential for fostering unity and restoring humanity’s true identity.

The Pope also pointed out that an essential aspect of the vocation of women, is to be the “builders” thus referencing the title of the conference. According to him, being a builder implies “cooperating with the Creator in the service of life, the common good and peace.”

In the opinion of the Pope, “the contribution of women is more necessary than ever,” especially given the challenges of “hatred, violence, and ideological conflicts” in today’s world. And “because the Church is herself a woman — a daughter, a bride and a mother,” he wrote –, “who better than women can reveal her face?”

Pope Francis asked that Catholics put aside “any aggressive and divisive attitudes” and that they exercise “careful discernment to discover, in docility to the voice of the Spirit and in faithful communion, fitting ways for the grandeur and the place of women to be increasingly valued in the People of God”.

The Holy Father also acknowledged with gratitude the pontifical universities for holding up to their students the lives and works of the 10 women saints. He urged the pontifical universities and all Catholic universities to make “every effort to present students with testimonies of holiness, especially of feminine sanctity,” that can inspire them.

(CNS photo/Vatican Media)