Pope Francis: 'More weight and more authority must be given to women'

At Pope Francis' weekly general audience, he emphasized the important roles women play in the Catholic church and in general society.

Pope Francis said that "more weight and more authority must be given to women" both inside and outside the church.

"We have not yet understood in depth what things the feminine genius can give us, that woman can give to society and also to us," Pope Francis said. "Perhaps to see things with different eyes that complement the thoughts of men."

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Francis encouraged men and women to "treat each other with respect and cooperate with friendship," adding that Jesus, too, treated women with dignity and respect.