Pope Francis emphasises women and laity

On 13 May 2018 Pope Francis’ updated statutes for the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life come into force. One of the changes is to require that Vatican agency to promote a deeper reflection on the role of women in the Church and society.

More details at: https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/05/08/pope-calls-dicastery-to-promote-reflection-on-role-of-women/

The Holy Father’s prayer intention for May is “That the lay faithful may fulfill their specific mission, by responding with creativity to the challenges that face the world today.”

The Pope’s intention is presented each month by The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer), which addresses the challenges facing humanity and assists the mission of the Church.

In the video expressing his intention, the Holy Father said:

Lay people are on the front line of the life of the Church.

We need their testimony regarding the truth of the Gospel and their example of expressing their faith by practicing solidarity. 

Let us give thanks for the lay people who take risks, who are not afraid and who offer reasons for hope to the poorest, to the excluded, to the marginalized.

Let us pray together this month that the lay faithful may fulfill their specific mission, the mission that they received in Baptism, putting their creativity at the service of the challenges of today’s world.

Source: https://zenit.org/articles/video-released-for-popes-may-prayer-intention/