Pope Leo XIV on the gifts of women and synodality: \u2018Women are already better\u2019 Pope Leo XIV drew laughter and applause on Oct. 24 when he recalled asking his mother in the 1970s whether she wanted equality with men. \u201cNo,\u201d she replied, \u201cbecause we\u2019re already better.\u201d The pope shared the memory during a discussion on the role of women in the Church at the opening of the Jubilee of Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies, a three-day gathering for representatives involved in implementing the global synodal process. The story, he explained, came from a time when debates about equality between men and women were just beginning to take hold in his native United States. His mother\u2019s response, he said, was not a joke but an affirmation of women\u2019s distinctive gifts. \u201cThere are many gifts that women have,\u201d he added, recalling their vital roles in family and parish life. Pope Leo then described a community of sisters in Peru whose charism is to serve where there are no priests. \u201cThey baptize, assist at marriages, and carry out a wonderful missionary work that is a testimony even for many priests,\u201d he said. But the pope warned that in many parts of the world, cultural barriers still prevent women from exercising their rightful roles. \u201cNot all bishops or priests want to allow women to exercise what could very well be their role,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are cultures where women still suffer as if they were second-class citizens.\u201d The task of the Church, he added, is to help transform those cultures \u201caccording to the values of the Gospel,\u201d so that discrimination can be eliminated and \u201cthe gifts and charisms of every person are respected and valued.\u201d Turning to the wider synodal process, the pope insisted that synodality \u201cis not a campaign, it is a way of being and a way of being for the Church.\u201d He said the goal is not to impose a \u201cuniform model\u201d but to foster a spirit of conversion and communion through listening and mission. Responding to questions from representatives of the Church in Africa, Oceania, and North America, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of patience and formation. \u201cNot all things move at the same rhythm or speed,\u201d he said. \u201cOftentimes, the resistances come out of fear and lack of knowledge.\u201d Without proper formation, he warned, \u201cthere are going to be resistances and a lack of understanding.\u201d On the environment, he called for courage in responding to the \u201ccry of the earth,\u201d urging Catholics not to remain passive but to \u201craise our voice to change the world and make it a better place.\u201d This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency. Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Antonio Tarallo Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Your Ultimate Guide on How to See Pope Francis at the Vatican Pope Francis to have Sunday lunch with 1,300 guests on World Day of the Poor Cardinal Sch\u00f6nborn Retires as Vienna Archbishop on 80th Birthday The Pope Speaks by Phone with the President of Iran about the War in Israel and Gaza Vatican News: Pope Speaks about Temptations PHOTOS: White rose petals fall from ceiling of Rome basilica to mark fourth-century miracle<\/p>\n