Pope Francis looks on as he meets with French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) at the Palais du Pharo, on the occasion of the Mediterranean Meetings (MED 2023), in Marseille, France September 23, 2023. Andreas Solaro/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsVATICAN CITY, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Wednesday opens a global summit of bishops on potentially momentous issues for the Roman Catholic Church, including the role of women and its attitude towards LGBT people. To the chagrin of conservatives, it does not explicitly mention abortion, euthanasia, and the defence of the traditional family. A papal document will follow, most likely in 2025, meaning changes in Church teaching, if any, would be a long way off. In one, the pope hinted at the possibility of allowing priests to bless same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis.

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Persons: Pope Francis, Emmanuel Macron, Andreas Solaro, Francis, Father Gerald Murray, Cardinal Raymond Burke, Burke, Murray, Jesus, Alvise Armellini, Matthew Lewis Organizations: CITY, Roman Catholic Church, Catholic, EWTN, Churches, Church, Thomson Locations: Marseille, France, Rome, St Peter's, Asia, Europe, Africa, United States, America, Vatican