5th August 2025 with Cardinal Lavigerie
Link to PDF 20250805 A Year With CML200
“Do Not Forget Women”: Pope Francis and the Role of Women in the Catholic Church
From a sharing by Sr. Carmen Sammut The heartfelt plea — “Do not forget women!” — came from the depths of my soul during a private audience with Pope Francis in January 2015. The meeting marked the 50th anniversary of PISAI (Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies) in Rome. Pope Francis had just delivered a moving speech on encounter and dialogue, highlighting the divine beauty and truth present in all religious expressions. The event had nothing to do with women as such, but coming face to face with the Pope, what came out of my heart had all to do with what I was living. The Pope grasped my hand and would not let me leave until he exclaimed:“How can I possibly forget women! The Church is female, Our Lady is too. Without the women, there is no Church.” Women Religious and Their Role in the Church Since my…