Pope Francis changed the law of the Catholic Church so that women can give communion and read the gospel

Vatican CITY – Pope Francis he changed the law of the Catholic Church to explicitly allow women to do more chores during Mass, although he reiterated that they cannot be priests.

Francis amended the law to formalize what is common in many parts of the world: that women can read the gospel and assist at the altar during the Eucharist. Although these duties were previously officially reserved for men, exceptions were made.

Francis said he was making the move to increase recognition of the “precious contribution” of women in the Church, and insisted that all baptized Catholics play a part in the mission of the Church.

However, he noted that this distinguished between “order” ministries such as the priesthood and ministries open to qualified lay people. The Vatican reserves the priesthood for men.

Francis has come under pressure to allow more women to become deacons – ordained ministers who perform many of the same duties as priests, such as performing at weddings, baptisms, and funerals. At present, that ministry is reserved for men.

Francis has set up a second committee of experts to investigate whether women can be deacons after the first has failed to reach consensus.

Proponents of expanding that work to include women say it would give women more influence in the pastoral work and administration of the Church, as well as help make up for the shortage of priests in some parts of the world.

Opponents argue that it would pave a path that could lead to women being ordained priests.