Vatican will prepare a document on the role of women in leadership in the Catholic Church

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican said Tuesday that its doctrine office will prepare a document on women in leadership roles in the Catholic Church, a new initiative to respond to longstanding demands by women to have a greater say in the church's life.

The document will be written by the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith as its contribution to Pope Francis' big church reform process, now entering its second main phase with a meeting of bishops in October, known as a synod.