Pope to 'reflect' on roles for women in church

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict was reported to have said today he would "reflect" on how to open up more positions in the Roman Catholic Church to women but not the priesthood.

Italian news media said the Pope made the comments in a two-hour-long, closed-door chat with priests from Rome.

Responding to a priest who said the Church should open up more to women, the Pope said he would "reflect" on his advice, according to one priest who attended the meeting and who was quoted by Italian media.

But the Pope made clear there could be no change in the Church's ban on women priests.

The Church teaches that it cannot ordain women as priests because Christ willingly chose only men as his disciples.

The late Pope John Paul was adamant on the issue, saying the Church did not have and never would have the authority to change the rule against women priests.

The transcript of the Pope's conversations with the priests was expected to be published tomorrow in the Vatican newspaper.

- REUTERS